The dried dead ones on my new plot, the ones I had to pull out, would have been about five. The one I cultivated in our garden last year, even in a shady spot, got to about that height too.
But the ones I tend to pick wild rarely get to that size.
well if it's an old variety/species I dare say there WILL be some in our hedge. Our house was built in 1956 by the local Police Authority.North Yorkshire Police. BUT prior to that it was the village green and had been so for many many years. There was an orchard here too.and still is...what does it look like.any pics?
When my mum used to pick it from the waste ground near our house it was rarely over 12" high, but I did pamper this plant because I wanted to eep it for seed, mind you it hasn't germinated yet, 10 days so far.