[Kleftiwallah]

Description - If you hold your hand palm uppermost and slightly curve your fingers with dark purple petals beneath , now imagine this as one flower emerging from a tall stem about every two inches all round a central very firm and erect stalk, total height about two feet six inches.  A 'dark' looking flower.  Found beside a wall the other side of which is a damp deciduous (oak) forest.

The reason I'm in a hurry is that I would like to know if it is poisonous, it's in the back garden of a house in Wales my son's family (and grandson) have just moved into.  I don't think the lad would injest any parts,  just a tad concerned.

Cheers and thanks in advance,   Tony.

[LotuSeed]

Could it be a Wall Germander?


http://nativeson.typepad.com/plants/2012/09/teucrium-fruticans-azureum.html

Or maybe lobelia gerardii?
http://www.robsplants.com/plants/LobelGerar

[Kleftiwallah]

Found it!

Acanthus-mollis - poisonous, so a quick email sent to get the son to dig up.



Thanks LotuSeed.
  Cheers,   Tony.

[Kristen]

Acanthus-mollis - poisonous, so a quick email sent to get the son to dig up.

Loads of poisonous plants in gardens, and very few that are going to cause more harm than an upset stomach - plus the more poisonous ones are generally very bitter, so a challenge to eat enough to do damage ... I've always taken the view to educate, rather than eradicate, as otherwise my kids would be at risk in every garden they visited as toddlers ...

Just my 2p-worth

[RubyR3d]

I agree. Teaching kids to leave alone is best . Though doubtful if this plant would hold any fascination for kids. Some of the best plants for wildlife would be destroyed otherwise.

[8doubles]

Acanthus-mollis - poisonous, so a quick email sent to get the son to dig up.

Loads of poisonous plants in gardens, and very few that are going to cause more harm than an upset stomach - plus the more poisonous ones are generally very bitter, so a challenge to eat enough to do damage ... I've always taken the view to educate, rather than eradicate, as otherwise my kids would be at risk in every garden they visited as toddlers ...

Just my 2p-worth

If all poisonous plants were removed from the garden there would be a lot less privet hedges ! 

[Kristen]

If all poisonous plants were removed from the garden there would be a lot less privet hedges ! 

Indeed ... and not to mention that Apple pips are poisonous ...