Could it be Ligularia przewalskii? Looks like this in my RHS encyclopedia.

A what lol! Blimey, does it have a common name?

Sorry, just found that a bit of a mouthful! I believe you're right ST, I've just Googled it. The common name appears to be 'Dragons Wings'

That's it. Ive just been offered one and am hesitating whether it will survive as I think its a bog lover so advise your friend to keep it moist if poss. . Dragons wings is a great name!

Here is some info. on the plant Waddy:
common name Przewalski's golden ray

Genus Ligularia are robust herbaceous perennials, with large, often attractively lobed leaves and yellow or orange, daisy-like flower-heads in terminal racemes or branching clusters

FamilyAsteraceae / Asteraceae

SpeciesL. przewalskii is a vigorous perennial to 2m in height, with erect black stems bearing large leaves palmately cut into jagged lobes, and slender racemes with of small yellow flower-heads in late summer.
Likes a sunny South or West facing position. Ultimate ht. in 2-5 yrs is 1.5-2.5 metres.

They like very wet, boggy ground and the slugs and snails love em so be careful

I think the one my friend has is the latter one SpeciesL I'm not sure I'd want this myself, but hey it takes all sorts :) Thanks for the info.