This little gem has been with me for about 3-4 months, found clinging inside my unmentionables after I arrived at work. Not sure what compelled me to keep this tiny piece of dried vegetation but I simply could not throw it away. Perhaps because it' s a seed - holding all the promise of life . . . tenaciously so.
Seeds themselves are wonders of nature to me; for all the majesty of the oak is contained in the tiny acorn, the intoxicating fragrance of a Texas Bluebonnet packed away in the tiny pebble of a seed lets not forget the additive sustenance found in the pistachio nut. I find that the irritating seeds of the earth, stickers and burrs, to be far more fascinating. I marvel at natures ferocious will to survive in propagating her creations, especially flora. Unlike fauna, flora is fixed more or less. Ingenious must be the designs to continue. Stickers and burrs seem to herald the unwavering commitment to survival, the relentless promise of future life.
With this in mind I decided to take a few close up pictures of my particular sticker and to research burrs in general Of course this led me on a trip outdoors into my very own yard to see the flora that it contains, seeking the root so to speak of my burr. I found two varieties in the wilds of my yard that insure the next generation with burrs.
This lovely, delicate plant (above), so tiny is a vine-like ground cover found in my backyard twined in between the feet of my own majestic oaks called Circaea or Enchanters Nightshade named for Circe. Enchanting bit of info, pun intended, to stumble across.
Sadly my burr was not from the Enchanting Nightshade family. My burr came from my front yard and is named Calyptocarpus Vialis, more commonly called the Straggler Daisy or Horseherb. Not glamorous and considered an invasive weed by some in Texas but attractive to mine eyes nonetheless. Again this ground cover has tiny flowers like the Enchanters Nightshade, though they are miniature yellow daisies. Considered a detriment to the connoisseur
of the perfect lawn I do enjoy the clover-like color and feel of my lawn (sans the dried burrs of course). Burrs to come from the backyard later I am sure. Then perhaps I will add an Enchanters Nightshade burr to my collection.
Still can't throw away this little gem - no matter common straggler of a daisy or ancient ingredient in Circe's magic I am snagged by the burr. The close ups of my burr revealed an alien beauty and symmetry I find captivating. Thus this fierce fruit stays with me reminding to cling to what is important, creating the opportunities to find that fertile soil to flourish . . . tenaciously so
