Nature watch, with Ron Freethy

FLOWERS always add something to the countryside but some are less welcome than others.

Two plants in particular are a nuisance in and around East Lancashire.

These are the giant hogweed and the rosebay willow herb.

The giant hogweed can grow from ground level to almost four metres (13 feet) within a few days.

The species is not native to Britain but was introduced to gardens in Victorian times.

It was planted to provide shade for ladies who wished to sit outside without getting a tan.

I would have thought that an umbrella was both cheaper and less dangerous.

When the stems of giant hogweed are exposed to the sun they seem to "sweat."

If this liquid is touched a very nasty rash is produced.

Over time the giant hogweed has spread alongside rivers and is now considered a nuisance throughout Britain, including East Lancashire.

There is no doubt, however, that it is a very attractive looking plant.

Rosebay willow herb is another beautiful plant but I am not surprised that gardeners hate it.

It simply swamps other plants and its cotton-like seeds spread quickly in the wind. One of the old names for this plant was "fireweed" because it is one of the first species to germinate following a fire.

During the early days of steam locomotives lineside fires were common due to sparks and fireweed spread quickly along the routes. Botanists are not sure whether this plant was introduced from North America during the days that cotton was being imported or whether it was native to Britain and expanded its range during the railway age.

The modern view seems to be that there are two varieties of rosebay willow herb and it is the North American type which has spread so rapidly.

There is no doubt that the rosebay is beautiful to look at.

Its fault is that it is too successful.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.