POISONOUS GIANT hogweed flourishing along a section of the A92 Dundee to Arbroath road is to be killed off following intervention by a city councillor, writes Brian Allison, local government reporter.

Ferry ward councillor Rod Wallace met a representative of the Greenbelt Group, which is in charge of maintaining open space around Panmurefield Village.

“I took him round sites in the area where giant hogweed is growing and he accepted that it would have to be treated,” Mr Wallace said.

“He undertook to take immediate steps to notify a contractor and have the weed sprayed as soon as possible. That should kill off the plants.”

Mr Wallace said one of the places the giant hogweed had been found was at an area near Lawers Drive, which used as a play area by children.

“Kids are obviously using it just now because we saw a rope swing which had been put up,” he said.

“That and the fact the schools are on holiday at the moment makes it all the more important that the plants are sprayed very soon.

“People should not go near this stuff as it can cause real health problems.”

The stems, edges and undersides of the leaves of giant hogweed have small hairs containing poisonous sap and the slightest touch may cause blistering and severe skin irritation.

Unshaded habitats with high soil nitrate levels tend to produce greater quantities of toxins in the plants.

The combination of sap on the skin and exposure to sunlight can produce painful, burning blisters within 24 to 48 hours and can also result in purple or black scarring.

Anyone who is exposed to the plant sap should wash it off immediately and avoid sunlight. Using sunscreen on affected areas may help prevent further reactions from happening when outdoors.

In the case of severe reactions medical help should be sought.

Giant hogweed is not native to Britain and was introduced here at the end of the 19th century as an ornamental plant. Since then it has spread and now colonises many areas of wasteland and riverbanks.

It can grow up to 15 feet high with leaves two to five feet across and produces small white flowers in large clusters.