Mala Mujer

July 04, 2019 00:04:56
Mala Mujer
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey
Mala Mujer

Jul 04 2019 | 00:04:56

/

Show Notes

Mala Mujer or Cnidoscolus angustidens is an interesting plant in Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family.  It’s found in southeastern Arizona and south into Sonora on rocky slopes from 2,500′ to 5,000′ in elevation. What makes it interesting, at least to me, are the green maple-like leaves covered in white dots that are actually little mounds, each holding up a stinging hair.  They do sting and some folks have a bad reaction to the sting. As you can see from the photo I clasped the stems and yes I got stung (very cool!), but I didn’t a bad reaction. Sometimes native plant nurseries will have this euphorb in stock, so it’s well worth asking your favorite nursery person if they grow it….what am I thinking?…I think we’ll start growing this cool plant at Spadefoot! Go native my friends.

These are my photos…proof that I did get out on a muggy monsoonal morning to find mala mujer.

Other Episodes

Episode

December 05, 2014
Episode Cover

Mexican June Corn

Petey thinks seeds have stories and the Mexican June corn that a young farmer is growing will have some stories to tell. Let’s listen.

Listen

Episode 0

December 13, 2020 00:05:03
Episode Cover

Cacomistle in the Greenhouse

The common name of cacomistle (cacomixtle) for the ringtail is from the Nahuatl language. It translates to “half cat.” I can see that, especially...

Listen

Episode

October 23, 2019 00:05:31
Episode Cover

Winterfat

I think it’s fascinating that there are several species of winterfat found in Eurasia and Europe. That’s where the genus was first described by...

Listen