Winged Sumac and Beggar's Lice

ABOVE: A close-up of one of our many Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina L.). The rachis, or stalk, of the compound leaves of this nonpoisonous shrub or small tree has a narrow wing between the individual leaflets. This image is an extreme close up of the fruit. In this image it looks like dessert to me. Dessert is of course my favorite meal of the day. I will admit that I haven't tried any of these. . . but they do look quite sweet.

Poison Sumac's (Rhus vernix) fruit is white.

BELOW: Another fall purple-bloomer is Desmodium lineatum de Candolle or Beggar's Lice. Twenty or more species of Desmodium occur in various parts of Florida, but few are ever noticed except when a row of their small, flat, triangular fruits are found stuck to one's clothing after an autumn walk.

I've spent many hours these past weeks pulling these fruit from Dell-Roy-the-cat's tail. He has a big, bushy tail. . . and he's the only cat that currently spends any time outside. . . Dell-Roy rarely strays far form the front porch or back porch but he doesn't have to go far to pick up many of the fruit.