Not a giant problem
Sir – Judging by the picture accompanying your article (Mother fears plant found growing by river is dangerous, August 6) the plant concerned is hogweed, Heracleum sphondylium, which is not a cause for concern.
It is giant hogweed, Heracleum montegazzianum, which is much larger with flowering umbels up to three feet across that is the problem, causing sensitisation of the skin to ultraviolet light.
Fred Topliffe
Oxford
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