My Google-fu has failed. Does anyone know what kind of weed turns your skin brilliant red if you’re foolish enough to try to pull it out without gloves? :smack: There is an initial stinging, which fades as the discoloration, which looks almost like a berry stain, turns from red to purple.
This is in Southern Arizona (Sonoran Desert). The weed looks a little like a large dandelion plant, but the green part is velvety with tiny nettles and the flowers are small and light yellow.
Oh, …and, ow.
Ummm…Nettles?
Also known as Stinging Nettles
No. Not nettles. At least not the ones shown in the Wikipedia photo. The leaves are too big and broad and the stalks are wrong. The plant I mean is light green and the whole thing looks almost velvety. Also, there was no raised blistery rash, just a red stain that turned purple.
I found another plant and this time, instead of yanking it out with my bare hands, I took a picture.
Any idea?
You can try this identification guide, maybe you’ll have better luck than I did.
http://web2.ento.vt.edu/servlet/wid?table=grasses
From Wikiwe learn that:
“Many plants cause ICD by directly irritating the skin. Some plants act through their spines or irritant hairs … [or] … by chemical means.” I’d be willing to bet that others might not get the same reaction as you.
Sure as shit ain’t a nettle, though - you’re right about that.
My guess would be a cryptantha.
I think that’s it, Seydell, thank you!
Apparently it’s from the Borage family, about which Wikipedia says: