What Is a Euphorbia Lathyris?

Features

• The mole plant grows up to 3 feet tall and has leaves that measure up to 6 inches long. Its leaves and fleshy stem contain latex. Its greenish-yellow cup-shaped flowers bloom in the spring and produce 3-inch lobed fruits.

Benefits

• The mole plant may be a future source of alternative fuel. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, estimates suggest that one acre of this crop could produce 10 to 50 barrels of oil each year. In the garden, the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Warning

• The entire mole plant is poisonous. Toxicity symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even death after ingestion and red, swollen skin after contact. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, the seeds, which contain a highly toxic alkaloid, are the most poisonous part.