The Return of The Giant Hogweed
HERACLEUM MANTEGAZZIANI The song tells us about the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianium), originally from Southern Russia and Georgia, being introduced to Britain in the early nineteenth century by a Victorian explorer. However, Peter Gabriel uses poetic licence as it was introduced before the reign of Queen Victoria. The so-called Toxic Giant Hogweed, which can cause massive blisters and ulcers if it comes into contact with the skin or blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes. The song went…
