Pete's Walks - Giant Hogweed
Photo taken on 18/06/09 near Iver, Bucks. (Day 2 of The Beeches Way)
This huge plant can grow to a height of sixteen feet. It was introduced to gardens in the UK from Russia in the nineteenth century, but is now widespread especially along riverbanks. IT CAN BE POISONOUS TO THE TOUCH.
I have a vague memory from my long-distant youth that Genesis (in their early days with Peter Gabriel) wrote a song about this plant!
Photo taken on 18/06/09 near Iver, Bucks. (Day 2 of The Beeches Way)
Photo taken on 18/06/09 near Iver, Bucks. (Day 2 of The Beeches Way) - these specimens were up to about 9 foot tall