[techmind (OP)]

Do you know what this plant is? (Photos taken in June)

Growing in my previous garden, in Surrey, near Gatwick.

Is it native to the UK? It looks most unlike anything else I've seen.

Note the leaves on the stem growing all at right-angles to each other.
Note the branching of the stalks from the flower/buds.

[techmind (OP)]

one more pic

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

(I can only seem to have 2 photos per post, or maybe it's a combined total of 128kB per post?)

[RD]

I think this arrangement of leaves is described as "decussate": leaves arranged in opposite pairs, rotating 90° at every node.

[Bored chemist]

N0ot sure, but it looks a bit like a euphorbia.

[RD]

The shape of the leaves looks "hastate-cordate", with "entire margins".

[dentstudent]

It is a Euphorbia, more commonly known as a spurge. This one is a caper spurge:

http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/S-Flowers/Spurge,%20Caper%20(2).htm

http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/ephla.htm

HTH!

[techmind (OP)]

Thanks everyone - especially dentstudent.

The house is owned by a Thai lady and I partly wanted to ensure it wasn't a rogue species! Tis regarded as a weed in any case - but a British one, so that makes it okay.

[dentstudent]

It is poisonous however, and the "milk" that comes from the plant when it's cut is very irritating to the skin, so get some gloves on if you're going to do some weeding []

[Bored chemist]

Well worth avoiding.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resiniferatoxin

[Make it Lady]

Is this the stuff that dyes your hands yellow?