Content
- Is every bear claw poisonous? - How to recognize the difference
- Giant Bear Claw - Skin contact may cause burns
- To distinguish toxic from harmless - that's how it works
- Tips
The Giant Bear Claw is poisonous
Is every bear claw poisonous? - How to recognize the difference
The toxicity of a single bear-claw species puts the entire genus under general suspicion of being dangerous to humans and animals. This guidebook dispels the prejudice and explains the main distinguishing features between poisonous and harmless bear claw.
Giant Bear Claw - Skin contact may cause burns
When Giant Bear Claw is in full bloom, the decorative value is undeniable. The satanic side of the natural beauty, however, is almost invisible in the form of toxic sap. Even slight contact with the plant can cause second and third degree burns.
Treacherous is that it comes only under the influence of sunlight to the painful symptoms of intoxication. It starts with severe itching. As a result, the skin turns red to black and blisters.
To distinguish toxic from harmless - that's how it works
In order to recognize the dangerous candidate among the species of bear-claw, the following two distinguishing features between poisonous giant-bear-claw and harmless meadow-bear-claw are in focus:
The flowering period is another indication of whether you are dealing with a poisonous or harmless bear claw. Giant Bear Claw flowers only from June to July. By contrast, the heyday of domestic meadow-bear claw extends from June to September.
Tips
If a poisonous Giant Bear Claw (Heracleum mantegazzianum) has crept into your garden, you should remove the intruder in a timely manner. In contrast to his harmless conspecifics, the uninvited guest tends to invasive propagation through self-sowing. Approach the floral aggressor well protected with overalls, boots, gloves and eye protection.