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 0

June 02, 2021 00:05:02
Episode Cover

Fremont Barberry

Berberis fremontii is in the Barberry family or Berberidaceae…that’s fun to pronounce. Fremont barberry has quite a range north of the Salt River in...

Listen

Episode

November 16, 2018 00:05:00
Episode Cover

My Little Sweet Potato

When I was a kid growing up in Kentucky a lot of folks called sweet potatoes yams. Even in the grocery stores they were...

Listen

Episode

October 04, 2017 5:05
Episode Cover

Soaring Birds and Snake Cotton

Autumn is the season of migration for many avian species and in the borderlands of southern Arizona hummingbirds are passing through, sparrows are arriving...

Listen