Heracleum (plant)

Heracleum is a genus of biennial and perennial herbs in the carrot family Apiaceae. They are found throughout the temperate northern hemisphere and in high mountains as far south as Ethiopia. Common names for the genus or its species include hogweed[1] and cow parsnip.[2][3]

The genus name Heracleum was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[3] It derives from the Ancient Greek Ἡράκλειος (Hērákleios) “of Heracles”, referring to the mythological hero.

Many species of the genus Heracleum are similar in appearance.[4] An outlier is H. mantegazzianum, the large size of which is exceptional. Common species include:

Heracleum mantegazzianum, giant hogweed, native to the western Caucasus region of Eurasia, a serious invasive species in many areas of Europe and North America
Heracleum sosnowskyi, Sosnowsky’s hogweed, a common weed throughout Europe and Asia
Heracleum persicum, Persian hogweed, native to Iran, Iraq, and Turkey
Heracleum sphondylium, common hogweed, native to Europe and Asia
Heracleum maximum, cow parsnip, native and common in North America