During lockdown The Water of Leith Conservation Trust have been working hard to gain a better overview of the Giant Hogweed 'hot spots' across Edinburgh.
According to the Trust the hugely toxic plant "is a public health risk and we feared that if left to go to seed we would be faced with an unmanageable problem in 2021."
Known as ' Britain's most dangerous plant ', Giant Hogweed can cause third-degree burns, ulcers and in some cases blindness and unfortunately due to warmer weather in the capital, the toxic plant has been thriving.
It took four members of the Trust 18 days to survey and wade along the Water of Leith from Currie to Leith and they recorded and treated a whopping 2350 Giant Hogweed plants.
Every plant location was noted and the team have produced a heat map with the data, revealing the distribution of Giant Hogweed along the whole length of the river.
The map shows that a major hotspot for the plant is Longstone to Gorgie, starting where the Murryburn joins the Water of Leith. Other areas that have larger amounts of the plant are Murryfield and Warriston.
The Water of Leith Conservation Trust have forwarded the map to the City of Edinburgh Council who only recently were able to assist in managing the dangerous plant following a suspension of maintenance services during lockdown.
For more information visit the Trust's website here.
