Heracleum sosnowskyi is a highly invasive plant species in Poland that can grow up to 5 meters tall. All parts of the plant contain toxic furanocoumarin which causes photosensitivity and burns in humans. It was introduced from the Caucasus region to be used as silage but quickly spread and became difficult to control, leading it to be nicknamed "Stalin's revenge". The plant produces thousands of seeds which spread easily by wind and water.

1. Flora of
PolandSummer

2. Sosnowskiego/Heracleum
sosnowskyi /Sosnowsky's
HogweedHeracleum sosnowskyi is
a highly invasive plant in
Poland.
All parts contain the
intense toxic allergen
furanocoumarin. It is
dangerous for humans
because even small drops
of plant's juice cause
photosensitivity and
burns

3. Heracleum sosnowskyi is up to 3–5 meters in height, with a
straight, firm stem that can reach a diameter of 12 cm. The
leaves are 50–60 cm long. The root is very firm, up to 30 cm
diameter. The inflorescence is a big umbel found at the end of
every stem. It blooms during July through September and
produces tousands of seeds. They are easily distributed by the
wind but especially by the water.
The plant was once common only in the Caucusas
area, however due to a decision to use it as a silage
plant it quickly spread in many areas of Russia,
Belarus and Ukraine. This decision was made in 1947, under
Stalin's rule, so later, when the species proved to be highly
invasive and difficult to remove, people started to call it
"Stalin's revenge"

5. Native to
northeastern North
America but established
as an invasive plant in
Poland
It is often grown as an
ornamental in flower
gardens
The plant is erect, often
forming colonies (1,5 m)
Nawłoć
kanadyjska/Solidago
canadensis L/Canada
goldenrod

6. Kakol polny/
Agrostemma
githago/the common
corn-cockleIt can be found in fields,
roadsides, railway lines, waste
places, and other disturbed
areas.
In parts of Europe, intensive
mechanised farming has put
the plant at risk and it is now
uncommon or locally
distributed. This is partly due
to increased use of herbicides.

7. Mieczyk
błotny/Gladiolus
palustris/ Marsh
gladiolusThe flowering period of
these plants extends from
May through July
This plant prefer
calcareous, moist and
humus rich environments
alternately wet and dry,
in wet meadows and
forest clearings.
Protected in Poland