Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...

Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
"K" wrote in message
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"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" writes

"K" wrote in message
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Interesting - very different leaf from the other hogweed, isn't it?
Much
shinier.
--
Call it dedication but I have just inspected, by torchlight, one of the
two
Heracleums growing here. I had never noticed that some of the stems are
almost completely red.
The rest of the stems are a blotchy red with paler bits. The leaf is
the
right shape etc . The picture shows the plant in bright sunlight which
might
account for the brighter/shinier look.
You are welcome to a cutting:-)

I'm very tempted! I've only ever seen it once - a wonderful stately
plant,
but I don't think I have space for it.



--
Kay

Do not let Sacha know of your desires:-)
It's a very politically incorrect plant although I note a few of the
Stately
homes still grow it as a specimen plant.
Incidentally the red stem is produced by the hairy nodules on top of the
green stem. I have been told by a reliable source that the toxic/
irritant
sap thingy only applies at a certain time of year but I do not know when.
Off to wash my hands.

The irritant only works when exposed to sunlight (I think it needs UV
light).
So nothing happens in dull weather but it causes blisters in the sun.
A classic "injury" is a ring of blisters around yer mouth if you use it
as a blow pipe (when aged 11 or so I hasten to add).

It is a very impressive plant but does get invasive sometimes in
conservation areas.
In a garden, it is probably controllable and could be a conversation
piece?

So you remember the pea shooter use as well as me.
Kids with purple mouths meant hogweed burn or Gentian Violet. Yellow head
meant Acriflavine.
I recall my father getting me and my mates to harvest the stuff for use as
kindling.

You had a father?
Luxury!! In my day, we had to get up at half past three, ten minutes
after going to bed; lick the slugs off the nettles and be finished in
time to eat raw death cap sandwiches that our mother prepared for
breakfast;
if we were lucky!