Can't find this flower in my books...

Height about 40" (100 cm). First 20" (50 cm) have leaves alternate. Then
there is a distinct bend in the stem. The top 20" (50 cm) have what appear
to be many seeds (?) arranged in a horse's tail appearance. Each seed is
about 2" (5 cm) long, very thin, slightly ribbed along the length, and
straight to slightly curved. Color green throughout.

A second specimen had a strange series of twists and turns instead of a
simple bend in the middle, as if it was trying to be a climber. Not
surprising, since both specimens had toppled under their own weight. This
second specimen also looks like it tried to develop 2 additional
"horsetail" branches, but they weren't anywhere near as vigorous as the
main one.

Date: June 10.
Location: San Juan Islands, Washington State, USA. (On an undeveloped
island, so probably native to the area.)

Photo available at
www.seanet.com/~pmar/jse_P6110841a.jpg

Please excuse my poor knowledge of botanical terms!

Your help greatly appreciated.

Pete