Hogweed
Heracleum sphondylium
Family: Apiaceae
Fire effect on plant
Little information is available on Hogweed’s response to burning. Literature on closely related species (H. maximum, H. mantegazzianum) suggests Hogweed is probably killed or top-killed by fire.
Key traits
Hogweed’s root crown is under the soil surface (e.g., in H. mantegazzianum, root crowns occur up to 12 cm belowground), where it is likely to be protected from extreme temperatures making post-fire resprouting likely. Fire effects on seeds are not described.
Plant response to fire
Hogweed may benefit from fire, as seen in closely related species (e.g., H. maximum had greater cover following wildfire; Zager 1980). In addition to potential. resprouting, seedling establishment on burned sites is likely, given that seed germination and seedling growth are best on open sites (Bartos and Mueggler 1982; Otte and Franke 1998).
Timing of life history
Biennial or short-lived perennial. Seeds produced in second growing season. Flowers June to September.
Conservation status
None.
References
Bartos, D. L., Mueggler, W. F. 1982. Early succession following clearcutting of aspen communities in northern Utah. Journal of Range Management 35: 764-768 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Otte, A., Franke, R. 1998. The ecology of the Caucasian herbaceous perennial. Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. et Lev. (giant hogweed) in cultural ecosystems of Central Europe. Phytocoenologia 28: 205-232. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Zager, P. E. 1980. The influence of logging and wildfire on grizzly bear habitat in northwestern Montana. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 131 p. Dissertation. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]