These vines grow along many of the rice field berms and overgrown fields I frequent in the wildlife management areas. Most of the year they are rather non-descript and innocent looking, until you find one has latched onto your pants with multiple thorns.
This is the first time I remember noticing their blooms, which are tiny, but there were a small million of them, all looking very healthy.
The thorns are tiny, too. This next image is a severe crop and way over-sharpened, and even then the thorns are hard to see on the stem leading to that center flower.
These two patches were close together, but had different color schemes in the leaves.
The individual flowers aren’t much to look at after they opened, but the water drops made this one special.
If you think you can step over it without an interaction you’re advised to raise your foot another couple inches, just to be sure!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC
March 21, 2021
Those are pretty wicked!
They are, and have torn more than a few socks and pant legs!
Doesn’t look like much fun to walk through or along. Reminds me of blackberry brambles that seem to sprout overnight here in MI. Mowing along edges they love to grow up along can make short work of skin. The single blossom shot with raindrops is magnificent! Glad all of your photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
That makes me wonder if they make a berry or something that I’ve never noticed–I’ll have to keep watch as the season unfolds.
Glad to know that you liked the images, and enlarging!
🙂
Their looks certainly belie their impact 😏. Interesting post and lovely photos!
Yes, indeed, Belinda! Glad you enjoyed the photos.