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The latin name for Cuckoo pint is Arum maculatum. Maculatum means spotted and plants called ‘maculatum’ are said to have grown under the cross and been speckled with Christ’s blood.

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a dangerous plant for humans. It contains toxic sap that can cause severe burns. It can grow as tall as 20 feet with huge leaves. It can be confused with native hogweed when not fully grown or when growth is stunted (e.g. regrowth after cutting). The shape of the leaves is different and they are bristly. The stem has red blotches on it (like many toxic plants. Giant hogweed is not native to the UK. It was first introduced as an ornamental plant and has spread thorough the UK. Giant hogweed should be destroyed as soon as it is identified. It 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. The photo shows a plant growing on an allotment. Bags have been put over the seedheads to prevent the seeds spreading while the plant is dying from the effects of the herbicide it has been sprayed with.

The leaf edges of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) are very different from the smoth edges of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium). Giant Hogweed leaf edge are jagged and sharp.

The leaves of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) are large. They can grow to over 1 meter in width.

The stems of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) are hollow bright green and hairy. They often have purple/red spots or blotches like some other poisonous plants i.e. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and Cuckoo Pint (Arum maculatum).

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a biennial plant that grows in damp areas and also on drier rough grassland, roadsides, and disturbed ground. It is the plant everyone worries about picking. Hemlock looks very similar to Cow Parsley, Rough Chervil and Sweet Cicely. Close inspection of the stems shows they are different. The plant is tall. It can grow up to 2 metres high.

This image shows Cow Parsley (Anthricus sylvestris) on the left and Hemlock (Conium maculatum) on the righ. Both plants can grow to be several feet high and at first glance, they look similar. The stems are the first part to examine. The stem on cow parsley is grooved. The stem on hemlock is not and, more importantly, has red blotches on it.

Hemlock flowers are typical of umbelliferae. There are flat-topped flower clusters that are small and white.