Ticks. Fucking ticks. Me and a friend got them all over our clothes while exploring in the Catskills back in June. We ended up throwing all our clothes into the dumpster at the hotel the next morning. I have cut holes in several pair of jeans on fences, but thankfully haven't cut myself, yet. When it comes to sketchy floors I keep close to a wall, walk slow and evenly distribute my weight. So far so good.

Posted by sirpsychosexy That's interesting, a similar species grows in Holland too: Heracleum mantegazzianum.

That same species grows here in America too. None where I live, but some of the other states have it. I've heard it's one of the nastier plants out there to come in contact with.

YES!!! Another person that wears flip flops on explores!

I do rural exploration, so I've lost more than a few pairs of socks to burrs and stickers trying to be dressed for the occasion. That, and I can tell if a floor is loose a little better if I'm wearing Jesus sneakers ; ) not to mention my own screaming lack of common sense tends to protect me like a talisman. I don't put up with life in California just so I can end up dressing like an adult....
1.
Savor your injuries : )

Posted by sirpsychosexy The Dutch name is reuzenberenklauw, meaning giant bear claw. When you touch them you get something on you which will burn your skin very badly, but only when the stuff is activated by sunlight. Maybe it's the same with your species, so when you touch the plant, just make sure to cover the spot immediately with a piece of clothing, quickly go find water and wash it off.

Oooh, turns around 'giant bear claw' could be found all around Western Europe:
http://wilde-plant...uzenberenklauw.htm
and Heracleum sosnowskyi which is pretty much the same grows in Eastern Europe.
It's the damn juice inside these plants which is poisonous that explains why it's not harmful in winter time

Posted by Aran That same species grows here in America too. None where I live, but some of the other states have it. I've heard it's one of the nastier plants out there to come in contact with.

Yeah it is a nasty customer. Can cause hospitalization for skin exposure and even permanent blindness. Never knew it was that bad... Better to learn the easy way.