Botanical name: Heracleum sphondylium
Common names: Hogweed
Characteristics
- Plant abundant in hedgerows, roadside verges, waste grounds and rough grassland.
- Member of the carrot family
- Umbrella-like clusters of creamy-white flowers appear between May and August
- Hollow, hairy stems (used by children as water guns, pea shooters and swords)
- Broad, hairy and divided leaves. Flowers heads with bright pink florets and a ball odd spiny bracts
- Flowers provide a source of nectar for birds and insects
- Sap less toxic than that of giant hogweed causing less skin irritation
Location
Poet’s path, ground area before the bridge
