Identifying Gopher Spurge (Euphorbia lathyrus)

Mystery Plant from Ohio Garden

Based on description—4+ feet tall, opposite leaves up the stem, 2-3 top shoots with green ball-like seed pods—the plant is likely gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyrus), also called caper spurge.

Characteristics

• Biennial or short-lived perennial.
• Milky sap (toxic/irritant).
• Explosive seed dispersal; can be invasive.
• Birds eat seeds, spreading it widely.

Google Images for Euphorbia lathyrus.