Hogweed

Heracleum sphondylium

vegetable · herb

⚠️ Toxic look-alike

Never eat this plant unless you are certain it is not its toxic look-alike.

It resembles poison hemlock, which is deadly, and giant hogweed, whose sap causes severe burns in sunlight that can last for months. Common hogweed has a hairy, hollow stem and broad, lobed, rough leaves; hemlock has a smooth stem spotted with purple and fine, fern-like leaves; giant hogweed is huge, up to three or four meters, its stem spotted with red. Pick it with gloves, in the shade: even common hogweed makes the skin sensitive to sunlight.

If in the slightest doubt, leave it. If you feel unwell after eating it, even several hours later, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911.

Young shoots and leaf stalks tasting of tangerine and coriander, sautéed in butter; its green seeds flavor desserts.

Origin: Europe and Asia
Where to find it: It grows in hay meadows and along paths; in Poland and Lithuania it was used to make barszcz, the original sour soup, before beets; in Siberia, its stems are eaten peeled.
Season (United States): April to June
Preparation: The shoots are picked with gloves, the leaf stalks peeled, then sautéed for a few minutes.
Molecules: In small amounts, not counted Falcarinol · Insoluble fibers
Did you know?: Its giant cousin, giant hogweed, badly burns the skin in sunlight: its sap alone is enough.