Ash tree - a poisonous competitor to hogweed: how is it dangerous?

      On August 13, 2026, at 15:28, Society A resident of Moscow ended up in the hospital due to a burn from a dictamnus. This beautiful plant, which is comparable in danger to giant hogweed, was encountered by the woman while vacationing in the south of the country. Marks of contact with the flower remained on her skin, including her hands, legs, chest, and neck. At the medical facility of the Sklifosovsky Institute of Emergency Care, doctors treated the affected areas and neutralized the effects of the toxins. The patient spent four days in the hospital.

      Andrey Tumanov, chairman of the all-Russian organization "Gardeners of Russia," told 360.ru that dictamnus has long been known to specialists. In our latitudes, the plant can be found both in the wild and in cultivated conditions, where it is planted to decorate parks and squares.

      Tumanov noted that dictamnus has many decorative forms that are popular with phytodesigners due to their beauty and hardiness. However, like any other plant, dictamnus has its drawbacks.

      Dictamnus (lat. Dictamnus) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Rutaceae family. In folk terms, it is called the "burning bush" due to its unique ability to release essential oils that can ignite from an open flame in hot weather without damaging the plant itself.

      Dictamnus can cause burns similar to phytodermatitis upon contact with the skin. This occurs because the essential oils make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, if you find yourself in thickets of giant hogweed or dictamnus, it is important not to go out in the sun afterward and to take a shower to avoid burns.

      Tumanov also noted that some people are more predisposed to phytodermatitis than others. Brunettes and dark-haired individuals generally tolerate it better than blondes and redheads. Therefore, people prone to this condition are advised to avoid contact with plants that release essential oils, such as dictamnus or parsnip.

      For others, Tumanov recommended working with dictamnus while wearing gloves and not planting it in the garden if there are children present. This will help avoid unpleasant consequences and maintain health. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.