Dealing with neophytes in Chemnitz, combating giant hogweed
The environmental agency informs and asks for help
Plant species that only arrived in Central Europe after the Middle Ages or were introduced are known as neophytes ("new plants"). Some of them reproduce unhindered. As a result, they displace the native natural vegetation and form pure populations. These include in particular giant hogweed (photo), Japanese knotweed and balsam, which are therefore also referred to as "invasive neophytes".
In the protected areas where natural plant communities or near-natural vegetation can still be found, all these invasive neophytes are combated on behalf of the lower nature conservation authority.
Giant hogweed has a special place among the invasive plant species, as it not only leads to displacement effects in nature, but also endangers human health through its sap. Originally from the Caucasus, it was introduced to England in 1817 and has since spread throughout most of Europe.
In our region, it germinates in April to May, then develops as a rosette plant for a few years and only reaches its full size of up to four metres in height when it begins to flower. The whitish umbels contain several tens of thousands of seeds, which fall out after ripening and are dispersed by water, wind and soil movement. Giant hogweed has a superior propagation strategy to native perennials and has no natural enemies to keep it in check. As a result, it quickly forms pure stands, displaces the native vegetation and can colonise new sites in no time at all. The sap of the giant hogweed contains furanocoumarins, which can cause severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight. This particularly affects children at play.
Due to the risk to human health and the displacement of native vegetation, the city of Chemnitz has decided to combat giant hogweed throughout the city. This is the responsibility of the respective landowner. Attentive citizens are called upon to report their observations of giant hogweed occurrences via the public authority telephone number 115. The respective landowner will then receive a request from the Environmental Agency to remove the giant hogweed professionally within a reasonable period of time and dispose of it in a neophyte container at the Weißer Weg recycling centre.
The Environment Agency will answer any technical questions regarding the independent removal of the plant on 488 3602.