One of the earliest records of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) in the British wilderness was found in 1828 in Cambridgeshire. This plant originated in the Caucasus Mountains, between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and in the 19th Century, samples were taken to the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in London. From there it was distributed to other botanical gardens across the country and eventually sold commercially as an ornamental plant allowing a more rapid spread over a vaster area. It is a dangerous invasive plant species to the native flora and fauna. The sap combined with sunlight can cause blisters, which can reoccur even many years afterwards. In 1970 the plant attracted public attention due to high child injury cases and received a reputation of “alien species”.
Petra Huberova explores this alien species through dried and pressed specimens of Giant Hogweed to showcase how they can be both beautiful as well as dangerous. This project contains two parts, one reflecting the ongoing life cycle of this hostile plant and the second part exploring their beauty as well as eeriness and danger hidden underneath. Huberova is inspired by their natural form and unique appearance. This project aims to raise the awareness of this invasive and dangerous alien species.
