Comparing Hogweed Species

Описание: This brief film uses my sketchbook studies and botanical illustrations to discuss the differences between Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum and Persian hogweed Heracleum persicum

There's a blog to accompany the film at: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/09/co...

Both species were out of season when the job came in, so I was limited to working from photo and drawn reference, always tricky.

Most of the original illustrations in this film are available for sale, please visit https://lizzieharper.co.uk/for-sale/u... and https://lizzieharper.co.uk/for-sale/u... and have a browse.

The main differences relate to shapes of the leaf lobes, whether or not the stem is blotched with crimson, overall height, general aspect of the flowering head (flat vs domed), some details relating to shape of outer petals of each tiny flower, and hairiness. If you watch the film, you'll see how it can be a struggle to keep the opinions of the botanists in line with the photo evidence, and just how hard it can be to tell similar Apiaceae species apart.

Both these flowers are invasive species in Sweden, and the sketches were commissioned by FOR.se for a horticultural show.