I was driving across Ontario on Highway 11, stopped at a restaurant and notices this strange-looking plant growing next to the building. It's about 6 foot tall but I haven't a clue what it is. Hope one of you can ID it. Thanks in advance. ssamson@michiana.org
hello Steve Possibly Giant Hogweed http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=29558&highlight=giant+hogweed
It would be much less of a challenge with a proper closeup image of the flowers or for someone who knows Ontario wildflowers (if this actually is a wildflower). The leaves look somewhat like valerian. I am certain, however, that this is no hogweed.
Not many umbellifers that have single-pinnate leaves like this (most have bi- or tri-pinnate leaves), so it shouldn't be too difficult to find. It looks similar to Greater Burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major), a European species listed by USDA as naturalised just across the border from Ontario, so this is quite possible (I can't find any info for Ontario, though). Pic & info: http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/BIS/flora.php?selected=beschrijving&menuentry=soorten&id=3252
