As the long dry gets hotter. . .and drier. . .these Tread Softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus (Michaux)) are one of the few native flowers blooming atop our hill in Debary. Unfortunately they are to be enjoyed only from afar. These Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) plants are armed with numerous stinging hairs. . . which deliver a wasp-like jolt of toxin.
In some parts of Florida this plant is also referred to as "stinging nettle." The plants are low, rhizomatous, monoecious perennials which sport fragrant flowers (notice the stink bug and fly on the flowers above). The flowers have no petals, but the sepals are petaloid and showy. The palmately lobed leaves are 4-5" wide.
These are now occurring frequently atop our sandhill and unfortunately when I took my long walk yesterday I was not wearing socks. . .brushing up against a few of these without noticing left me with stining welts along my ankles. . . It was 94° (34½° C), windy, dry. . .and stung by plants. . .it wasn't my best walk ever.
Below: Tread Softly along our fence about 2 feet tall by 1 foot wide.
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