hogweed
1 synonym for hogweed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A coarse umbelliferous plant of the genus Heracleum, several species of which are phototoxic.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cow parsnip
How to use hogweed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
giant hogweed
hogweed sap
clear the hogweed
hogweed burns
It is a plain, practical word used in gardening and countryside contexts.
Etymology
The word joins hog and weed, and was given to the plant because it was once used as feed for pigs.
Full origin of hogweed →Frequently asked questions
What is hogweed?
It is a coarse plant of the genus Heracleum, and several of its species contain sap that reacts badly with sunlight on skin.
Why is hogweed dangerous?
Its sap is phototoxic, meaning it can cause painful burns or blistering on skin that has been exposed to sunlight.
Why is it called hogweed?
The name comes from hog and weed, because the plant was once used as feed for pigs.
