Hi there tedhort, Excellent! I googled for the name you gave, and yes - that's the one :) Thank you so much for your help! Now I know how NOT to kill it lol :D Shanook.

the nightshade family.. potato also i believe.. and most are highly toxic in every phase ... of which a lot of things are.. and no big deal ... but the shiny grape colored berrys attract children.. and any i find are eradicated with malice and aforethought .. which is the legal definition of murder... a bird planted it for you.. hate them too ken

Sounds like a perfect description of Indian Paintbrush as planterman stated above. I think it would be to short to be milkweed and this time of year the Indian Paintbrush is everywhere. I had a little cousin that died a few years ago at the age of 98 and she said that as a child, born in Indian Territory, she was always told that Indian Paintbrush only grows where an Indian has lived. Not that I believe that story, but I thought it was an interesting piece of Oklahoma folklore that I always remember when I see it blooming. Yesterday as I came down Hiway 10 I was admiring the fields of red and I remembered what she said. I looked across to the other side of the Hiway and saw a large herd of buffalo. I thought to myself -- Oklahoma is (STILL) OK.

thanks so much Pam; I have emailed my friend with your quick response. I knew someone in this forum would have the answer; all too easy. Much appreciated.