Travelling from Central Leeds on the Alwoodley to City Centre cycle route signs divert me away from the Meanwood Road, past some old mills (now student residences, highlighting the change that has occurred to the city in recent decades), and onto a track heading North through a green and peaceful valley.
A stream runs through the valley. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) grows along the banks of the stream, 10 feet tall, clustered, triffid-like.
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| A stand of Giant Hogweed
In the UK giant hogweed is an invasive plant. Originally from Central Asia, like many plants regarded as invasive in the UK, it was deliberately introduced in the 19th Century. It looks like a giant version of its native relative common hogweed, and it also looks similar to food plants such as carrot, parsnip, and fennel. These plants are grouped together in the family Umbelliferae, a name which references their parasol-like flower heads (the Latin for parasol is umbella).
It is a perennial herb, which means the giant stems grow in a single year, die off in the autumn, and grow anew the following year. Impressive stuff.
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| A single Giant Hogweed plant, about 9 feet tall
Giant hogweed is phototoxic; contact with its sap can trigger an allergic reaction to sunlight, causing rashes, blistering, and scarring. If you come across a patch it is best to stay well back.
It is not hard to feel a vague air of menace around these plants. Perhaps looking out the window to see that a stand has appeared where there were none yesterday, a distant drumming sound suggesting more are on their way...
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