Persian hogweed

Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall.

Heracleum persicum, known as Persian hogweed, is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae family. Native to Iran and surrounding regions, it was introduced in the 1830s and has since spread to Scandinavia, including Norway, Sweden, and Finland, where it is considered invasive.

Description

Heracleum persicum is a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, and is commonly referred to as Persian hogweed. It is a perennial herb that grows in humid mountainous areas of its native range, which includes Iran and adjacent regions. Introduced to Europe in the 1830s, it has become widespread in northern Norway and is locally known as Tromsø palm. It has also been recorded in Sweden and Finland, where it is classified as an invasive species. The plant is now common in several European countries, including the UK, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, and Iceland.