Nov 16, 2020
Back in south Texas briefly last week. Not many flowers out now, especially after a dry fall, but this plant caught my eye from a distance because of a swarm of butterflies around it. You can see that, in a lapse of judgment, I touched it. Don't you do that, because this is Cevallia sinuata, aka stinging serpent. The common name derives from hairs on the leaves that contain formic acid. With that said, the sensation was more annoying than painful, and was eliminated with vigorous handwashing and a shower.
In spite of that experience, i'm glad I collected seeds, as this plant is clearly valued by nectarivorous species, and probably deer-proof too. Just don't put them in your pocket :P
