Question
QUESTION: I have a friend that has a plant that comes up every year.  I've looked through several perennial manuals & online sites & haven't found anything that resembles it.  I was hoping you could help me identify it or direct me to where else I can look.  She lives in Ohio.  The plant looks to be at least 4 ft tall & has a leaf on each side of the stalk going up the the top (looks like a ladder is the best description I can come up with).  The plant then sprouts off two - three shoots off of the top & those shoots have leaves & green ball-like pods form on those shoots.  The green ball-like pods almost look like the seed pods that form after a daylily blooms.  I do have two pictures if that would help.  I can send them to you once you respond since I'm know sure how to include them with this intial contact.  Thanks so much Diane.

ANSWER: Hi Diane,
Thanx for your question.  A picture would help a lot.  You should be able to easily attach one when you respond back.
thx,
Tom

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QUESTION: Hi Tom:  Here is a picture...sorry it took me sooo long...I've been exhausted & coming home from work & going to bed.  Sorry, its not letting me send this bmp file...& I cannot save it to a gif or jpeg.  Can you send me your email address & I will forward the email that contains the picture of the plant from my friend to you?   Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Diane,
Thanx for the additional information.  Please send the picture to:
[email protected].
thx,
Tom

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QUESTION: Hi Tom:  I sent two emails each with a different picture of the plant I was trying to identify.  Just wanted to let you know I did send them to the email you indicated above. Let me know if you received them.  Thanks so much Diane.  Have a great day!

Answer
Hi Diane,
Thanx for the additional information.  I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you.  I think the plant is called gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyrus).  Here is a link to Google Images for some pictures of it.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=euphorbia+lathyrus&btnG=Search+Images&gb

An interesting perennial growing up to 4 feet tall but can be very invasive.

I hope this helps.
Tom