This persistent weed is said by some to have been introduced by the Romans possibly to use as a herb to treat gout or arthritis (hence its other name: Goutweed). Stace 3rd Edition places this as an archeophyte which means it was introduced but before 1500 AD. It is an umbellifer which produces seed after displaying an ordinary white umbel but it spreads using rhizomes any bit of which can give rise to a new plant. It was present in the garden when we arrived decades ago we have failed to get rid of it - it always returns. It has populated these island so well that only small parts of the Cairngorms and the North-West highlands haven't yet been invaded. Even Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) hasn't spread as thoroughly throughout the UK.

Pensarn beach, Abergele 4th May 2005

Added on Oct 9th 05, updated Dec 24th 07, updated 21st Jun 08, updated Feb 21st 10, updated 23rd Apr 10, updated Feb 28th 12, updated 5th May 13