WANDERING sheep had best give Golden Acre Park a very wide berth.

A giant South American plant with a 'terrifying' reputation, known as the sheep eater, is currently in bloom at the Bramhope beauty spot.

The rare Puya chilensis plant is a native of Chile and boasts long, aloe-like leaves lined with ferocious spines.

In Chile these spines have been known to trap sheep and small mammals which starve to death and decompose at the foot of the plant, eventually providing it with food.

That has led to the species, which can reach a height of more than two metres, being dubbed the 'sheep-eating plant'

The Golden Acre Park specimen, however, is safely ensconced in a greenhouse.

It is currently at its biggest and most impressive as it has just flowered following a 15 year wait.

The flower head contains clusters green or yellow flowers that are pollinated by birds, with the outward-pointing tips acting as perches for the birds as they reach the nectar inside.

The flowers come out of a huge spike shape at the top of the plant that resembles a medieval mace.

The emergence of this spike at Golden Acre Park left staff having to act fast to accommodate it.

They ended up having to remove a section of the greenhouse roof to allow the plant to poke through and reach its full height.

The 'sheep eater' only stays in flower for a short period so visitors are being urged to get along and see it at its best while they can.

Leeds City Council’s Executive member for Environment and Sustainability, Councillor Mohammed Rafique, said: "The team at Golden Acre Park have waited 15 years to see the rare Puya chilensis finally burst into bloom and the spectacular plant definitely hasn’t disappointed.

"Although its reputation as a sheep eater makes it sounds terrifying to some, we can assure visitors that it is being safely grown in our greenhouse and is completely safe to visit!

"I urge you to go and see the plant this week while it's still flowering – if you miss it, you could be waiting at least another decade for your chance."

The species is vanishing fast in its natural habitat and chances to see it in the UK are rare.