170 



COMMON WEEDS 



known perennial weed, 

 which frequently attains 

 a large size (3 to 6 feet 

 in height). It is a rough, 

 hairy, stout plant, with 

 hollow stems and large 

 leaves (i to 3 feet), 

 much less lobed and 

 divided than most plants 

 of the order. The leaves 

 have large pale sheath- 

 ing bases. The flowers 

 are white or pink, the 

 outer ones of the umbel 

 irregular, one or more 

 petals being consider- 

 ably enlarged. This 

 plant is not poisonous, 

 like Hemlock, and cattle 

 eat it with impunity ; 

 tame rabbits are regu- 

 larly fed on it. It is 

 common on hedge 

 banks, roadsides, waste 

 places, and pastures, and 

 flowers in July. Where 

 it occurs plentifully it 

 may be reduced by 

 regular cutting. 



Wild Carrot (Daucus 

 Carota L.) is a weed 

 which occurs in both 

 arable and pasture land, 

 but is chiefly common 



FIG. 46. Cow Parsnip, Hogweed (Heracleum * ra1rar*rmc unrl 



Sphondylium L.), x about . Flower enlarged. On Cl Y CalCarCOUS ailQ 



