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| Cnidoscolus texanus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus: | Cnidoscolus |
| Species: | C. texanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Cnidoscolus texanus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Cnidoscolus texanus, commonly known as Texas bullnettle[2] (also Texas bull nettle[3] and Texas bull-nettle[4]), tread-softly, mala mujer, and finger rot, is a perennial herb covered with stinging hairs. The main stem, branches, leaves, and seed pods are all covered with hispid or glass-like bristly hairs that release an allergenic toxin upon contact. Contact with the plant results in intense pain: stinging, burning, and itching lasting for hours. It is native to the U.S. states of Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma[5] and also native to the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico.[6] It is a herbaceous flowering plant that grows between 30–80 cm (11.8–31.5 in) tall and as much as 1 m (3.3 ft) across.[7] Texas bullnettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) has showy, fragrant white flowers that can bloom throughout the year in southern regions of its distribution, predominantly March to November in northern regions.[3][8] It is a drought-tolerant plant, therefore making it a superb choice for xeriscaping. This plant is attractive to birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects. The seeds are known to be consumed by Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and mourning doves (Zenaida macroura).[9]
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The seeds, which are edible when ripe, are also consumed by humans. Indigenous Peoples harvested bullnettle seeds in the past, and some people still eat them today. Each seed pod contains three seeds, which are smooth, somewhat cylindrical, brownish white, and a half to three quarters of an inch long. When ripe, they are dispersed when the pod burst open, catapulting the seeds away from the plant. Great care and caution is advised in collecting the seeds. Tull suggested wearing long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves to pick the seed pods with a pair of tongs, then dropping them into a paper sack and waiting for the pods to ripen and burst in the sack to collect the seeds. They are said to be appetizing and tasty with a nutty flavor.[3][4][8][10]
- ^ The Plant List, Cnidoscolus texanus (Müll.Arg.) Small
- ^ "Cnidoscolus texanus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Nieland, Lashara J. and Willa F. Finley (2009) Lone Star Wildflowers: A Guide to Texas Flowering Plants. Texas Tech University Press. Lubbock, Texas x, 320 pp. ISBN 978-0-89672-644-4
- ^ a b Tveten, John and Gloria Tveten (1993) Wildflowers of Houston and Southeast Texas. University of Texas Press. Austin, Texas. ix, 309 pp. ISBN 0-292-78151-2
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Cnidoscolus texanus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ "Cnidoscolus texanus (Müll. Arg.) Small". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ Johnston MC, and BH Warnock. 1963. The species of Cnidoscolus and Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) in far Western Texas. The Southwestern Naturalist, 8(3): 121-126.
- ^ a b Ajilvsgi, Geyata (1979) Wild Flowers of the Big Thicket: East Texas, and Western Louisiana. Texas A&M University Press. College Station, Texas 361 pp. ISBN 0-89096-064-X
- ^ J. H. Everitt; Dale Lynn Drawe; Robert I. Lonard (February 1999). Field guide to the broad-leaved herbaceous plants of south Texas: used by livestock and wildlife. Texas Tech University Press. pp. 103–. ISBN 978-0-89672-400-6. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ Tull, Delena (1987) A Practical Guide to Edible and Useful Plants: Including Recipes, Harmful Plants, Natural Dyes, and Textile Fibers. Texas Monthly Press. Austin, Texas. 518 pp. ISBN 0877190224