Large 'Tropical' looking plant for ID please

[sunnydale]

I spotted this on the other side of a stream, so it wasn't that easy to photograph.
I'm presuming it's not native but more likely to be an escapee of some sort?

The bulbous looking heads at the top of the large thick stems were obscured a bit by a tree - but I did mi best!





Thanks,

Tracey


P.S. I'd love to know if there's an exotic looking flower to look forward to? :-)

[Hedera]

I thinik this may be Hemlock. Flowers in an umbel. Poisonous.

[Crumble]

I thought it looked like a member of the Rheum family. Possibly Rheum Palmatum, which I don't think is native.

Same family as rhubarb.

But only a guess.

[Dorts]

It's Giant Hogweed!!! - Heracleum mantegazzianum.

Dorts.

[earthdragon64]

I agree with Dorts, Giant Hogweed, horrible stuff.

Regards, Audrey.

[Crumble]

I've suddenly got the sound of genesis in my head

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Dorts

It's Giant Hogweed!!! - Heracleum mantegazzianum.

Dorts.

Agreed splendid looking.... but evil plant (non native).... it has toxic sap which will burn your skin and cause your skin in those places to react or even blister to sunlight for potentially years after. Each flowerhead can produce 50,000 (I think i remember reading) seeds.

So if you have decent protective clothing and goggles, chop the flowerheads off before they go to seed and spread the plant

[david156]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Agreed splendid looking.... but evil plant (non native).... it has toxic sap which will burn your skin and cause your skin in those places to react or even blister to sunlight for potentially years after. Each flowerhead can produce 50,000 (I think i remember reading) seeds.

So if you have decent protective clothing and goggles, chop the flowerheads off before they go to seed and spread the plant

Yes! Cut the flowers off Tracey. Those 50,000 seeds can be viable for up to fifteen years

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Agreed splendid looking.... but evil plant (non native).... it has toxic sap which will burn your skin and cause your skin in those places to react or even blister to sunlight for potentially years after. Each flowerhead can produce 50,000 (I think i remember reading) seeds.

So if you have decent protective clothing and goggles, chop the flowerheads off before they go to seed and spread the plant

Ooh-er, I'm not going near that in a hurry! Unless I can find some thick gloves to wear!
I'd need wellies too I reckon, to cross the stream in the first place!

Would you chop the heads off Gill, if you came across one?

Tracey

[sunnydale]

Originally Posted by david156

Yes! Cut the flowers off Tracey. Those 50,000 seeds can be viable for up to fifteen years

B...b..but what if it g...gets me?? I could be burned alive and never get to see another flower as long as I live!