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Can anyone help identify this plant?

Last post 11-06-2012 2:33 PM by Polly. 5 replies.

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  • 08/06/2012 09:18 AM
    • chrisfits
    • kent
    • 08 Jun 2012
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    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7350781454_b764f9cb1b_z.jpg This odd plant turned up in a border last autumn and proceeded to grow to about 2 foot tall before it started to flower. I can't seem to find out what it is, but it's the only thing in my garden that my chickens don't have a peck at, so i wonder if it may be toxic?

  • 08/06/2012 09:30 AM
    In reply to
    • chrisfits
    • kent
    • 08 Jun 2012
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    sorry for the lack of picture, tried the flickr cut and paste but only pastes the link not the pic http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7098/7350781454_b764f9cb1b_z.jpg

  • 08/06/2012 09:43 AM
    In reply to
    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
    • 4,081
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    It's Euphorbia lathyris and it pops up all over at this time of year. It grows quite quickly which makes it seem like it's come from nowhere. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_lathyris

     
  • 08/06/2012 09:50 AM
    In reply to
    • chrisfits
    • kent
    • 08 Jun 2012
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    Wow, that was quick, Thank you very much!!

  • 08/06/2012 09:59 PM
    In reply to
    • 07 Nov 2006
    • 2,412
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    Although I can't see it.  If Miranda is correct.  Treat it with caution.  Most if not all Euphorbias when damaged etc, exude a milky like substance.  Hence the common overall name of.  Milk weed.  The so-called milk, is poisonous and can at times be an irritant.

    Mike.
  • 11/06/2012 02:33 PM
    In reply to
    • Polly
    • DeepestDevon
    • 06 Mar 2012
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    I just logged on to ask the self same question!  We moved into this cottage 3 years ago and there were a couple  of stems of this in the wild bit of the garden ... this year there is a thicket of the stuff, almost 6' tall!  The chickens do give it a wide berth!  But bees love it I have noticed.  The seeds made me think of sunsplurge, but this is a very statusque plant. I am minded to try to introduce a patch into the back of a herbacious border ... the leaves are lovely and the colour is quite interesting. Perhaps to offset some melianthus major I have just acquired? But only to be approached with extreme caution, obviously!  ETA Just found this article: http://www.homeoint.org/seror/patho1900/eulathyris.htm which has scared me half to death!