What is "heracleum sphondylium"

Hogweed \Hog"weed`\, n. (Bot.)

1. A common weed ( Ambrosia artemisi[ae]ge). See Ambrosia, 3.

2. In England, the Heracleum Sphondylium.

Cow parsnip \Cow" pars`nip\ (-n?p). (Bot.) A coarse umbelliferous weed of the genus Heracleum ( Heracleum sphondylium in England, and Heracleum lanatum in America).

Bear's-breech \Bear's"-breech`\, bear's-breeches \bear's"-breech`es\, n.

1. (Bot.) The English cow parsnip ( Heracleum sphondylium)
   --Dr. Prior.

2. a widely cultivated southern European acanthus ( Acanthus mollis) with whitish purple-veined flowers. See Acanthus, n., 1.

   Syn: bear's breech, bear's-breech, bear's breeches, sea holly.

Heracleum sphondylium, commonly known as hogweed, common hogweed or cow parsnip, is a herbaceous perennial or biennial plant, in the umbelliferous family Apiaceae that includes fennel, cow parsley, ground elder and giant hogweed. It is native to Europe and Asia. The common name eltrot may also be applied, but is not specific to this species. Umbelliferous plants are so named because of the umbrella-like arrangement of flowers they produce. The North American species Heracleum maximum (also called cow parsnip) is sometimes included as a subspecies of H. sphondylium.