Invasion of the Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed Invades United States

Impact: Crowds out native species; Produces a toxic sap that causes skin irritation equivalent to third degree burns and blindness.

“Take the Hogweed which related to the true story in the press at the time about how the plant – Giant Hogweed – imported from Russia in Victorian times had become rampant thru the British countryside.”
– Paul (on Peter Gabriel & Genesis)

In 1971, Genesis (the band) released an album that contained the song Return of the Giant Hogweed:

Turn and run!
Nothing can stop them,
Around every river and canal their power is growing.
Stamp them out!
We must destroy them,
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour.

In 2011, the Giant Hogweed is invading the United States of America:

Map showing the invasion of the Giant Hogweed in Northeastern USA

NEWS REFERENCES:

 

MyFox Chicago

New Yorkers battle giant blindness-causing plants

Register - Lester Haines – ?2 hours ago?

Authorities in New York State have warned residents to keep a sharp look-out for the giant hogweed – the alien invader from the Caucasus Mountains which has the power to cause “severe skin and eye irritation …

Once a beauty, beastly giant hogweed plant can burn you Albany Times Union

Green monster New York Post

Giant hogweed spreading across New York Christian Science Monitor

North Country Gazette – 13WHAM-TV 

all 70 news articles »

 

BBC News

Cleckheaton giant hogweed warning

BBC News - ?Jun 27, 2011?

Kirklees Council says giant hogweed, which resembles cow parsley, has been found in Cleckheaton. Giant hogweed sap is very corrosive and even brushing against the plant can cause serious injury or skin problems. Anyone finding the plant is advised not …

LYRICS TO GENESIS’ SONG RETURN OF THE GIANT HOGWEED
Turn and run!
Nothing can stop them,
Around every river and canal their power is growing.
Stamp them out!
We must destroy them,
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour.

They are invincible,
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering.

Long ago in the Russian hills,
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh,
He captured it and brought it home.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
He came home to London,
And made a present of the Hogweed to the Royal Gardens at Kew.

Waste no time!
They are approaching.
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night!
They are defenceless.
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom.

Still they’re invincible,
Still they’re immune to all our herbicidal battering.

Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens,
In which they innocently planted the Giant Hogweed throughout the land.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed,
Preparing for an onslaught, threatening the human race.

The Dance Of The Giant Hogweed

Mighty Hogweed is avenged.
Human bodies soon will know our anger.
Kill them with your Hogweed hairs
HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANI

Giant Hogweed lives

SOUND
Anthony Banks (founding member of Genesis and keyboardist) “contributed towards the more aggressive sound in various ways: for some time before Hackett’s recruitment, Genesis had performed live as a four-piece, with Banks substituting for guitar by playing lead solos on his Hohner “Pianet” electric piano, played through a fuzz box. This technique can be heard on “The Musical Box” and the intro to “The Return of the Giant Hogweed”. In addition, the band purchased their own Mellotron Mark II (from King Crimson). Banks employed the Mk II “three violins” sound to great effect in “The Fountain Of Salmacis” and “Seven Stones”, whilst the climax of “The Return of the Giant Hogweed” used fuzzed Mk. II “combined brass”. (Wikipedia)

The Cuckoo Wasp