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Re: Euphorbia lathyrus

Nick Turland wrote:

>This species is cultivated in Britain too (where it also occurs as a
>native). 

Quite right, it is locally common in many areas of the Cotswolds, the
South East and an occasional 'visitor here in the South West although
it tends to prefer less humd areas.

>There, it is sometimes called the "mole plant" because it is said
>to deter moles (Talpa europaea) from burrowing in its vicinity.

It would be interesting to find out whether it is more effective
against for moles or pocket gophers.  I'm not convinced of its
deterrent value in the UK, having had a 3 acre garden over-run with
moles.  The spurge eventually died out, the moles continued to burrow!
> 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. 

I remember going 'ape' one day when a pair 'of local TV gardeners
discussed this plant on their programme.  One - a fellow named Cyril
Fletcher, previously famous (or infamous) for his quirky, somewhat dry
humour and 'odd odes', suggested that the name 'caper spurge' alluded
to the similarity of the seed pods to the true caper and advised that
they could be put to a similar use.  The other, a chappy called Bob
Price, absent mindedly agreed.  I wrote to the TV station telling them
of their idiocy in allowing such potentially dangerous information to
be broadcast and as a result, was invited to join the above pair on TV
to discuss poisonous plants in the garden.  Eventually Bob and myself
became great friends and we frequently worked together after that.  He
never forgave himself for letting Cyril put out such nonsense.

>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.

It arrived in my garden, quietly one day and now, happily seeds itself
about in the least cultivated parts.  It has also appeared in a green
lane that separates my little patch from the local church yard and
pops up sporadically here and there.  I rather like its quiet charm
and can easily see how the plant was a great favourite with the late,
Gertrude Jekyll who included it in many of her designs.

David Poole
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