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Euphorbia lathyrus

> Euphorbia lathyrus (sp.?)This plant amazingly protects any plant near it
> from the ubiquitous, ravenous, pocket gophers ( Thomomys ) 


This species is cultivated in Britain too (where it also occurs as a
native). There, it is sometimes called the "mole plant" because it is said
to deter moles (Talpa europaea) from burrowing in its vicinity. It is more
commonly known as the caper spurge: "spurge" being the vernacular name for
Euphorbia, and "caper" because the fruit capsules resemble capers (the
flower buds of Capparis spinosa). Obviously, you would not want them on
your pizza, though, as the milky sap is very poisonous. Once you introduce
it to your garden, it disperses seeds from its explosive capsules. It's
not invasive, rather you always have just a few plants. I think its 
narrow, upright habit, with linear, gray-green leaves arranged in a cross 
(if you view from above), add a sort of punctuation to the garden.

Nick.
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