Jump to content
UltravioletPhotography

Heracleum tromsoensis [Tromsø Palm]


nfoto

Recommended Posts

Rørslett, B. 2013. Heracleum tromsoensis ined. Elven (Apiaceae). Tromsø Palm. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...is-tromsø-palm/

 

Heracleum tromsoensis ined. Elven (2005)

Syn. Heracleum persicum auct., Heracleum lacinatum auct.

NO: Tromsøpalme

EN: Tromsø Palm; Persian Hogweed (?)

 

This is a huge, up to 5 m tall, perennial species introduced to northern Norway in 1836. It may originate from Caucasus or Iran, but its geographic affinities are as unclear as its systematic position. The taxon may be of hybrid origin.

 

Due to its massive size in regions with Midnight sun, it became popular as a solitary garden plant, and quickly spread from gardens into the surrounding terrain where it now is found growing copiously on road verges and meadows. H. tromsoensis currently has spread to southern parts of Norway as well. The plant causes very severe photodermatological rashes and burns and is now considered a blacklisted noxious weed. Burns can persist for months or even years and the plant therefore constitues a severe health hazard. However, countermeasures to limit its occurrence have proved difficult or ineffective. It has a strong negative impact on native vegetation due to the aggressive growth and wide expanse of its foliage. Pollinators love H. tromsoensis though and the large inflorescences see plenty of insects hunting for pollen and nectar

 

Plants photographed at Hamningsberg, Finnmark Norway 23 Jul 2013.

 

HERA_TRO_I1307230939_VIS.jpg

Image reference: HERA_TRO_I1307230939_VIS

A small specimen of the Tromsø Palm photographed with Panasonic GH-2 and Nikkor 50 mm f/12 + Metabones SpeedBooster

 

HERA_TRO_I1307230952_VIS.jpg

Image reference: HERA_TRO_I1307230952_VIS

Inflorescence in visible light with Panasonic GH-2 and Nikkor 50 mm f/12 + Metabones SpeedBooster

 

HERA_TRO_I1307230948_UV.jpg

Image reference: HERA_TRO_I1307230948_UV

Ultraviolet light Panasonic GH-2, Coastal optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash

 

In UV, the petals shimmer with stripes of conical cells. The buds are quite UV bright as well.

 

References:

http://www.ultraviol...-r%C3%B8rslett/

 

http://helsenorge.no...omsoepalme.aspx (In Norwegian)

 

http://ansatte.uit.n...%20persicum.pdf (In Norwegian)

 

[Published 27 Jul 2013]

Link to comment

So many noxious weeds are interesting plants anyway!!

 

A blogger wrote about it - this is where I first learned of it some years back.

http://mylittlenorwa...et-tromso-palm/

 

Wikipedia gives it the name "Persian Hogweed".

Also an apt name if it crowds out the native flora. "-)

http://en.wikipedia....acleum_persicum

 

In parts of New England we have two umbellifers - Queen Anne's Lace and Wild Angelica - that are considered fairly invasive in some parts. At least they do not cause photodermatitiis!! (Daucus carota and Angelica sylvestris)

Link to comment

The taxonomy of the Tromsø Palm is unclear. It is probably not identical to Heracleum persicum. Thus leading Norwegian authors are using a "work name" for it. Note the "ined." designation.

 

We do have the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzanum) as well, but this occurs mainly in the southern part of the country. It hybridises with the Tromsø Palm to complicate matters even further.

Link to comment
"ined" is a new designation for me. Thank you for calling it to my attention.
Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...