Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help us identify this plant? It has grown in the garden, seemingly overnight and I am concerned it is giant hogweed? If it is does anyone know the safest way to get rid of it? Thank you in advance!
I can never understand the Giant-Hogweed 'phobia' ; I purposely grow a patch at the end of my garden . Its statuesque 10' 'towers' are a valuable feeding ground for bees and hoverflies. Simple rule , if you're prone to skin allergies , then don't touch it !
Oops, thank you everyone! I don't think I've ever seen it without the leaves before! It is a shared garden and I didn't cut the rhubard so I didn't even make the connection. And Paul B3 I agree it is a magnetic plant! My concern was as it was a shared garden, we have young children and dogs who play out there, better safe than sorry!
It's not a 'phobia' and it's not an allergic reaction. The chemicals in giant hogweed produce changes to the skin that damage the natural UV protection and that means sunlight can cause severe burns. Even dull daylight can produce problems if there has been bad exposure.
Hell , I'll give mine a wide berth then ! I didn't realise the burns were caused by sunlight after contact with the plant . Assumed it was the sap in the plant . Now I know better , thanks !
t has grown in the garden, seemingly overnight and I am concerned it is giant hogweed? If it is does anyone know the safest way to get rid of it? Thank you in advance! 
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Just the flower stalks of Rhubarb...Rheum rhabarbarum.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Rheum+rhabarbarum&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-k87_35LbAhVIDsAKHWmBAW0Q_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=943
Heracleum mantegazzianum...giant hogweed looks like this........
https://www.google.com/search?q=Heracleum+mantegazzianum&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn_5nF35LbAhVCK8AKHSDYDeUQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=943
Its statuesque 10' 'towers' are a valuable feeding ground for bees and hoverflies. Simple rule , if you're prone to skin allergies , then don't touch it !
I believe the danger is later when it seeds.
In wild area/along river banks you can find forests of them.
Strangers to it who touch it can develop really nasty skin rashes.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=heracleum+mantegazzianum+danger+skin+rashes&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOw7aj-5PbAhWEDcAKHT1BBP0Q_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=949
Assumed it was the sap in the plant . Now I know better , thanks !
You can safely brush past the plant...... but if you get sap on your skin ..followed by sunlight then you have problems.
https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/green-science/caution_giant_hogweed_might_be
It is a really invasive plant.
Years ago children used the hollow stems as pea shooters with terrible consequences.
Many councils in UK have a spraying program to try and stop it spreading.