hogweed

From hog +‎ weed, so named because of its use as feed for pigs.

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hogweed (plural hogweeds)

1. Any coarse weedy herb.
2. An umbelliferous plant, of genus Heracleum, most species of which are phototoxic.

   Synonyms: pig's cole, pigweed, cow parsnip, pig's parsnip, clogweed, cadweed

   • 1970, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 119:

     “I will bewitch them with flea-bane, blister them with hog-weed,” he said, vainly looking for a suitable spell.

   • 2023, K Patrick, Mrs S, 4th Estate, page 69:

     I see the tall not-weeds with white flowers up close. Don’t touch, don’t touch those. Hogweed, it will burn.

3. Certain plants from the genera Ambrosia, Erigeron, or Heracleum.