17 hikers injured

Only the names of these plants are funny

In combination with sunlight, the plant sap can cause severe inflammation or burns on the skin.(Bild: stock.adobe.com/dero2084)

Invasive plants are a recurring problem - and not just for the 17 hikers who were injured by giant hogweed in Germany. Five people even had to be treated in hospital because of the neophytes.

They are called American skunk cabbage, bastard knotweed or narrow-leaved waterweed and fall into the group of neophytes, i.e. plants that are not actually native to this country. However, these plants are only funny because of their names, as neophyte expert Konrad Pagitz explains. He also knows how to control them.