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Flaigg, Norman G.
Cnidoscolus texanus (Muell.-Arg.) Small
Texas bullnettle, Bull nettle, Tread-softly, Spurge nettle
Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
USDA Symbol: cnte
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Texas bull nettle is usually 1 1/23 feet high with several stems from the same taproot system that enables the plant to thrive even in the hottest part of the summer. Leaves are alternate, 24 inches long, divided into 5 leaflets, crinkled in appearance and covered with stinging hairs. If one brushes against the leaves, one will feel the sting for 3045 minutes. If any part of the stem is broken, a milky sap appears, and some people are allergic to this as well as the sting of the hairs. The flower consists of 57 white, petal-like sepals, united below; there are no petals. There are 10 or more stamens and a 3-lobed pistil. The fruit, or seeds, are clustered in 4 separate compartments held tightly together by the tough, almost round seedpod. It, too, is covered with stinging hairs. When the seeds mature, the outside fleshy part shrinks and exposes the durable shell that holds the 4 seed compartments.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Size Notes: 1 1/23 feet high.
Flower:
Fruit:
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Cnidoscolus texanus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cnidoscolus texanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cnidoscolus texanus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-06-18Research By: TWC Staff
