Saw it growing in the dirt road ruts going out to the BLM land behind us last couple of years. Now showing up in our yard. Short, as in usually less than 2" tall. Kind of a brightish green color, tiny tiny white or blueish white flowers, grows singly or in clumps. Short roots apparently, as it's relatively easy to pluck out of the ground. Seems to prefer bare ground, but I have found a few near/under some clumps of grass or wildflowers. Whole plant dries into a spiny bur/sticker.

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This pic shows the dry spiny burs already forming:

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Have never seen this one in my travels in this part of the world before. Not fun for the dogs. Rabbits, deer, the birds (quail and doves) probably spread it into our yard from the surrounding wildlands. Didn't see any on our property the first two summers, showed up this year. Pics were taken in the area I keep very short for a firebreak. There was a bit more cover when we moved in, now a bit more open ground as some of the grasses don't like being kept as short as I like them.

Maybe some of you folks have seen this in your area?

Geno

The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)

member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?