Heracleum sphondylium
Hogweed
Heracleum sphondylium, commonly known as hogweed, is a robust perennial herb valued in traditional herbalism. Found in diverse habitats, this plant contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. While used historically for various ailments, careful identification is essential due to its resemblance to toxic umbellifers.
- Scientific name: Heracleum sphondylium
- Family: Apiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Heracleum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Heracleum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Heracleum sphondylium, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Poland, it is called barszcz zwyczajny, while in Wales, it is known as Paxhnåde. In Russia, the name used is Борщевик обыкновенный, and in Finland, it is identified as etelänukonputki. Additionally, in Hungary, the plant is called közönséges medvetalp.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | barszcz zwyczajny | Wikidata |
| wa | Paxhnåde | Wikidata |
| ru | Борщевик обыкновенный | Wikidata |
| fi | etelänukonputki | Wikidata |
| hu | közönséges medvetalp | Wikidata |
| de | Wiesen-Bärenklau | Wikidata |
| sl | navadni dežen | Wikidata |
| nn | Bjørnekjeks | Wikidata |
| cs | bolševník obecný | Wikidata |
| pcd | Grant-bibeu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Europe. In the northernmost reaches of the continent, it can be found growing in Iceland and Finland. Its presence also extends to the islands of the Faroe Islands and Great Britain. Additionally, the species is well-documented within the borders of Denmark. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for northern maritime and continental climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Chemicals
Heracleum sphondylium has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarins, fatty acids, flavonoids, iridoids, phytosterols.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iridoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Heracleum sphondylium has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Heracleum sphondylium has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, HeLa cell, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HeLa cell | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| food contamination | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| foodborne diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| photosensitization | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |