Hi Mal,
It's some type of Euphorbia, I just can't tell for sure which one.* The pic is very small.* The one that comes to mind is:
Euphorbia characias aka Euphorbia characias wulfenii aka Mediterranean spurge.
http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.co...medspurge.html
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/po...p_wulfenii.php
http://www.californiagardens.com/Pla...s_wulfenii.htm
There are different cultivars.* Here's Euphorbia characias 'Black Pearl'
http://www.beautifulbotany.com/STOCK%20D-F/Euphorbia%20characias%20'Black%20Pearl'.jpg
Euphorbia characias 'Humpty Dumpty'
http://www.beautifulbotany.com/STOCK%20D-F/Euphorbia%20characias%20'Humpty%20Dumpty'.jpg
Do be very careful when working aroung Euphorbia.* They contain a milky sap that many people are allergic to and can cause a severe rash.* You don't want the sap to get in your eyes.
Newt
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.