Sosnovsky's hogweed: what is dangerous, how to remove burns and how to deal with AI

Sosnovsky's hogweed is a plant that is actively and rapidly spreading across different regions, becoming a real threat to both nature and humans. Contact with its juice in combination with sunlight causes a severe photochemical burn — phytophotodermatitis. Unexpectedly, in 2025, neural networks gave hope of salvation from a dangerous plant. About how AI calculates hogweed and helps to fight it, as well as how dangerous the plant is — in the material of Izvestia.

How artificial intelligence fights hogweed

In Russia, artificial intelligence (AI) is being actively implemented to combat Sosnovsky hogweed in certain regions. In the Tula region, in particular in Tula, a pilot project is being implemented for 2025, in which AI uses satellite data to automatically identify foci of a dangerous plant, conduct a survey and propose a plan to combat hogweed. For now, the administration staff is rechecking the data on the ground to train the system, but in the future the project is planned to be extended to the entire region. For reference, more than 1.5 thousand plots with Sosnovsky hogweed with a total area of over 3.5 thousand hectares have been identified in the Tula region.

In St. Petersburg, an innovative system was launched in the summer of 2025, in which AI was integrated into mobile patrol complexes "Gorodovoy". The neural network is trained to recognize hogweed at all stages of development, which makes it possible to identify the plant at an early stage. Eight mobile complexes are tasked with bypassing 186 routes around the city every day, and if a hogweed is found on the sites of its owners, they are automatically fined 100,000 rubles for untimely destruction. This approach automates control and accelerates the fight against hogweed in the city.

In addition to regional initiatives, in July 2025, President Vladimir Putin approved a law that obliges land owners across Russia to independently identify and destroy hogweed and other dangerous invasive plants. The law is aimed at limiting the spread of these plants to protect the environment, public health and natural ecosystems.

Land owners, tenants and holders of public easements are required to plan and implement measures to combat hogweed. In case of refusal to destroy the plant, the withdrawal of the land plot is provided. The law is designed to increase responsibility and ensure environmental safety in the country.

Why is hogweed dangerous to humans

The main danger of Sosnovsky hogweed is in its juice containing furanocoumarins (for example, psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin). These substances are activated by ultraviolet radiation, penetrate skin cells and damage their DNA. This causes phytophotodermatitis— an inflammatory reaction with redness, swelling, blistering, and severe pain. Symptoms do not appear immediately, but after a few hours or even 1-2 days after contact.

Getting the juice on the skin without protection and continued exposure to the sun leads to:

— burns of I–III degree, with the formation of painful blisters, erythema and redness;

— long-term healing, which takes weeks or months;

— hyperpigmentation — dark spots that can persist for a long time;

— in severe cases, the formation of scars and scars.

If the burn covers a large area of the body (more than 8/10), a fatal outcome is possible due to a strong systemic load on the body. In addition to the skin, the juice can get into the eyes, which can lead to photokeratitis and even blindness.

Pollen and microparticles of hogweed are also toxic: they can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, allergic reactions and suffocation. People with allergies, young children, pregnant and lactating women should especially avoid contact with the plant.

Symptoms and signs of affected hogweed

— Redness and itching of the skin at the point of contact;

— The appearance of blisters with transparent or serous contents;

— Swelling of tissues and soreness;

— Common symptoms of intoxication: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever;

— With severe damage — weakness, fainting.

— Closed contact with juice under clothing is especially dangerous, as a person may not notice the fumes and the presence of a toxic substance on the skin.

How to avoid burns and what to do when in contact with hogweed

When working or walking in places where hogweed grows, wear closed clothing, gloves and respiratory protection. Limit the time spent near the plant.

Also, do not touch the hogweed with your bare hands. Remember that the juice is not felt immediately, burns will appear later.

If the juice gets on the skin, immediately rinse with plenty of soap and water, minimize contact with the sun — cover the affected area and avoid UV radiation for at least 2-3 days.

If your condition worsens, blisters appear, severe pain, or symptoms of intoxication, contact your dermatologist or burn specialist. Medical care may include wound treatment, pain relief, anti-inflammatory treatment, and infection prevention.

If the juice gets into your eyes, rinse them with plenty of water and seek immediate medical attention.

Why it is important to know about the dangers of hogweed

The plant spreads rapidly, occupying large areas, and often grows near residential areas and playgrounds. Ignorance of the danger and improper handling of hogweed can lead to severe burns and prolonged treatment, since phototoxicity increases precisely under the influence of sunlight.

Hogweed is not just a beautiful tall grass, but a serious environmental and medical-social risk that requires attention from both the population and local authorities to combat the spread of this plant.

How hogweed grows and spreads

In Russia, Sosnovsky hogweed is widespread, especially in the European part of the country, in the Urals, Siberia and in a number of regions such as Udmurtia and the Kirov region. The control of this plant is carried out using mechanical methods (root pruning), agrotechnical, chemical means and covering the soil with shading materials.

The main way hogweed spreads is through seeds, which it drops naturally, called self—seeding. One plant can produce from 20 to 100 thousand seeds, which can remain in the soil for several years and wait for favorable conditions for germination.

Hogweed seeds spread not only by themselves, but also with the help of wind, water, animals, birds, and vehicles — car wheels play an important role in spreading seeds over long distances. Due to this, hogweed can be found almost everywhere: in cities, villages, forests, near reservoirs, on the outskirts of fields, along roads and other non-agricultural territories.

The plant is extremely resilient — it is not afraid of drought, cold and can grow on various soils, with the exception of swampy areas. Its biological features contribute to rapid spread: cold resistance, the ability to grow rapidly, the release of biologically active substances (furocoumarins) that inhibit the growth of other plants and protect hogweed from pests.

Sosnovsky's hogweed, the most dangerous species, in addition to seeds, can also reproduce by rhizomes. It is able to form dense monocultural thickets, displacing other plants and thereby disrupting the ecological balance. The area of its thickets increases by at least 10% per year.