GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Please tell me this isn't giant ground elder

Blenny · 04-06-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyHinge

On 04/06/13 08:52, Charlie Pridham wrote:

"RustyHinge" wrote in message
...
On 30/05/13 21:35, Blenny wrote:
kay;984303 Wrote:
It looks like hogweed, which is not a problem. If it carries on growing
till it is taller than you, it may be giant hogweed, which can cause
skin rashes.

Thanks Kay. I'll leave it alone for the moment then.

If it *is* hogweed (not the giant variety) the very young shoots make
a good vegetable.

Ordinary hogweed also causes skin rashes if you get the sap on you then
allow sunlight to get to it.

I used to collect it by the barrowload for my host of wabbits. I don't
know how many gallons of sap I must have had flow over my hands with no
ill effect.

--
Rusty Hinge

I've handled the leaves without ill effect - but think I'll proceed with caution. Cooking it sounds tempting though!