This year, there are again isolated locations of the Hercules perennial (also known as giant hogweed) along the Nahe and its tributaries - including in Idar-Oberstein. The municipal civil engineering department points out that these occurrences should not - as has already happened - be removed independently out of good intentions. Instead, the city administration should be informed of any findings.
Herbaceous perennial is an invasive plant species with enormous potential to spread. In addition, contact with the plants can pose a serious health risk to humans. The sap of the Hercules perennial is poisonous and can react aggressively on the skin when exposed to sunlight, causing burn-like injuries. For this reason, and due to the fact that Herculean perennial can displace the natural plant communities in the water meadows, it is undesirable and must be combated.
Anyone who discovers a Hercules perennial should keep their distance and not remove the plant themselves. This is for your own safety. In the event of a sighting, please inform the municipal civil engineering department immediately, which will then arrange for professional removal.
- Sightings of Hercules shrubs can be reported to the city council's civil engineering department by calling 06781/64-6612 or e-mailing tiefbau@idar-oberstein.de.