A dangerous plant

Whilst out on the river bank the other day I came across rather a lot of Giant Hogweed, which I reported to the estate office so they could get it cut down where anglers and dog walkers go.
What concerned me was in conversation, few people actually knew what it was or how it was dangerous, so here's a picture to assist those who have not seen it close up.
This one was about four feet tall and the stem was as thick as my wrist, so not even fully grown.
Giant Hogweed

 

Flickr wont let me see the image.

 

I believe flickr have changed things, I think you have to be registered now, sorry, I will see if I can post it directly.

 

Nor me, unless I answered a long string of questions, which I didn't have the will to do.
Thanks for showing it directly. Good that you reported it.

 

People say that it's less invasive/dangerous than gorse, but people don't like it because it's an immigrant plant while gorse is a native. A sort of horticultural racism.

 

Gorse is valuable to wildlife, providing food and shelter. It doesn't contain harmful sap either, unlike giant hogweed which can cause severe burns (phytotoxicity).

 

Speaking as someone who was “Hogweed” back in the day before it was widespread and recognised, I can say that you don’t want to come into contact with the sap. You really don’t.

 

Also used for winter fodder if put through a mill, or stock will graze off the young growth when the spines are soft, also used for sweeping chimneys and fuel for fires.
In no way would I consider gorse any more dangerous than a holly or rose bush.

 

Of course there's gorse, and European gorse...

 

As someone who was not born here, I had to Google "gorse". An evergreen shrub with a long flowering season? Sounds like a gem to me

 

It is until you fall on it, or it catches fire.

 

Delete my comment! I was confusing hogweed and Japanese Knotweed!

This is a great programme

Nature's Great Invaders - 2. Japanese Knotweed - BBC Sounds

 

So far I haven't had to battle with either one thankfully, but I believe Japanese Knotweed is far more difficult to get rid of, can damage buildings and overall is possibly the worst weed you can have.

 

I stumbled into one of the plants I grow that is more dangerous than a gorse this afternoon, Colletia hystrix it makes barbed wire look cuddly, it does make up for it by being evergreen (even the spines are evergreen) and having several flushes of small white flowers that are heavily scented in autumn.

 

The scent is heavenly though.