WHAT...is...this???

[User909090909]

Evening mumsnetters,

Can anyone tell me what this is that has appeared in my garden?
I’m pretty sure it’s going to take over the garden and eat us as we sleep!!!

Caper spurge, Euphorbia lathyrus. Don’t worry, that’s a last year’s plant so it will die at the end of this year.

It’s a biennial, so grows, overwinters, then produces flowers in the second year and then dies. Your second picture shows the flower heads - they’re not showy, but very interesting.

Beware the sap, which can be irritating in sunlight - only a problem if you break the plant - and don’t think of using the seed pods instead of capers - they’re poisonous

Thank you!!!
I’ve had a google and I’m going to dig it out we’ve got pets and kids one of which has a lot of contact allergies, so I don’t really want him near it.

Caper, yes. Are they poisonous then? We use capers a lot in cooking and had thought of using these since they spring up occasionally.

From what I googled after PP identified for me, they are extremely poisonous so no don’t eat them!!

@AlwaysLatte

Caper, yes. Are they poisonous then? We use capers a lot in cooking and had thought of using these since they spring up occasionally.

The white sap from all euphorias is really nasty irritant particular if you get it in your eyes. I think it can increase UV sensitivity/ sun damage too, but would have to Google to check that.

Euphorbia not euphoria. Dam you autocorrect!

@AlwaysLatte

Caper, yes. Are they poisonous then? We use capers a lot in cooking and had thought of using these since they spring up occasionally.

Edible capers are produced by Capparis spinosus, a Mediterranean shrub unrelated to caper spurge.

Caper spurge is so-called because it looks like capers, not because they can be used as capers. Yes they are poisonous. If you want a caper substitute I've seen nasturtium (Tropeolum) seed pods suggested.

And to answer another question - euphorbia sap does cause photosensitivity. I've got a small patch on my leg which comes up in a rash if I'm in the sun too long. I've had it at least 10 years.