giant hogweed

American  

noun

1. a tall plant, Heracleum mantegazzianum, of the parsley family, native to Russia and now naturalized in the U.S., having very large leaves and broad, white flower heads somewhat resembling Queen Anne's lace: can cause an allergic rash when touched by susceptible persons.

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giant hogweed British  

noun

1. Also called: cartwheel flower.  an umbelliferous garden escape, Heracleum mantegazzianum, a tall species of cow parsley that grows up to 3 1/ 2 metres (10 ft) and whose irritant hairs and sap can cause a severe reaction if handled

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Example Sentences

The giant hogweed - Heracleum mantegazzianum - is not to be messed with, says Prof Barr.

From BBC

Daniel Logan stung his ankle on a giant hogweed in Boston Manor Park, west London, while retrieving a football.

From BBC

Among other new eight-letter words, the kind that help players clear their seven-tile racks for 50 extra points: hogsbane, more commonly known as giant hogweed.

From Seattle Times

That quiet emptiness, the enormity of Russia, has been infiltrated in recent decades by an alien force: the giant hogweed.

From New York Times

In the summer, the giant hogweed assumes the look of dill on steroids; its coffee-table sized leaves create thickets impossible to pass without a hazmat suit.

From New York Times