 |
 |
|
|
In my early botanising days I was keen to see this plant initailly introduced from South East Asia. It wasn't anywhere near as common as it is now and every time I came across a particularly tall version of Heracleum sphondylium (Hogweed) I wondered whether or not it was the Giant Hogweed (H. mantegazzianum). Of course as soon as I was shown the real thing I realised there was no confusing the two plants. The plant in the photo is not a particularly large one but the individual flower heads are about a metre in diameter. It is a spectacular plant with a very bad reputation. The sap in the presence of light causes a photochemical reaction with human skin giving rise to severe ulceration and burns. Children have sometimes cut the stems and used them as pea-shooters with terrible consequences.
It is now often seen by the side of roads and rivers. If you want to see a forest of these plants, travel as a passenger south on the M6 over the Thelwall viaduct and at the top take a quick peek towards the River bank below. In June and July there are about 20 or 30 of these plants in full flower in a fairly inaccessible spot.
Banks of ditch on Sealand Retail park Chester 30th June 2005
Latin Index English Index Home Page
Added on 5th July 2005