huge thing

[green thing]

Came across this huge thing whilst walking today
well over 8ft tall and by the looks of things
It was still had more growing to do before it
Flowers.

[Martin H]

Good old Giant Hogweed. It's illegal to encourage it, although I don't know why anybody would...

[veggiechicken]

Don't be tempted to touch it - its a nasty piece of work
Dangers of Giant Hogweed - GB non-native species secretariat

[WPG]

I remember being warned about giant hogweed when I was a child, all sorts of horror stories about getting burnt if you touch it, and kids being hospitalised after they'd used the hollow stems as blowpipes.

[Two_Sheds]

I get burned by parsnip sap: massive big blisters that last for ages

[green thing]

First one I've seen in the area its at the head of watercourse which flows through the town center .

Below applies to everyone else but the council

Giant hogweed is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England, Wales and Scotland. As such it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, giant hogweed is also classified as controlled waste