I recently took my dog for a walk on the trails near Grayton, north of 30A. We parked in the sandy parking area, and as soon as my dog jumped out of the car, she yelped. She was holding up her paw with the oddest looking prickly thing protruding from it. I'd never seen anything like it, so I'm hoping someone who knows the local flora and fauna can help me identify it.
It had a large, roundish center that was about the size of a large grape. It was dark purple, like an eggplant color. The needles that protruded from it were at least an inch long. There were only 9 or 10 needles poking out, but a couple of them had stuck deep in my poor dog's leg. They were thin needles, but we really had to yank them out...almost like they were barbed.
It looked like it came from an alien planet! Any ideas? I've googled, but no luck. I have no idea if it came from a larger plant or what. Didn't see any more around. The dog had no after effects, so it's a happy ending.
Thanks!
Replies
16
Beach Fanatic
Sounds like the berry from a prickly pear cactus. Scroll down on this page
http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News columns/Prickley.Pear.htm
to see a picture of the berries, which ripen this time of year. Probably it got dislodged from the parent plant and ended up where your unlucky dog stepped. Might have hitched a ride on someone's boot.
http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News columns/Prickley.Pear.htm
to see a picture of the berries, which ripen this time of year. Probably it got dislodged from the parent plant and ended up where your unlucky dog stepped. Might have hitched a ride on someone's boot.
SoWal Expert
Did she step on a prickly pear fruit?
Admin
Ouch! Been there done that. 
SoWal Insider
I've been running before, and kicked one up onto the back of my calf, and I thought I had been bit by a weasel!
Admin
I've been running before, and kicked one up onto the back of my calf, and I thought I had been bit by a weasel!
You were running from a weasel?
SoWal Expert
Why did you assume it was a weasel?
Moderator
Weasel bites are the worst! 
I ran over a big one with a push mower when I was a kid, and a big chuck with attached spines hit me in the foot. This was in the days of the famous Nike Waffle Trainer...very thin shoes.
I had to pull the spine through the shoe and out with my foot before I could pull it out with pliers. They are tough to pull out if they are deep...
I ran over a big one with a push mower when I was a kid, and a big chuck with attached spines hit me in the foot. This was in the days of the famous Nike Waffle Trainer...very thin shoes.
I had to pull the spine through the shoe and out with my foot before I could pull it out with pliers. They are tough to pull out if they are deep...
Beach Fanatic
At first I thought you meant you ran over a weasel with the push mower. I got a really strange mental image. :shock:
SoWal Insider
Anytime I have a hard sharp pain, I blame it on "the weasel". (I just assume a weasel bite is pretty bad.)
Beach Lover
I think they may be an edible fruit (not the weasel, those I imagine would be stringy).
Banned
You'd know if it was the weasels. They go POP! You don't want to get the weasels. German weasels is the worst. I recommend the weasels vaccine. An ounce of prevention.
margarita brocolia
...
...Y'all are on a roll!.
Edited
Beach ComberAuthor
Thanks for the replies. I looked at pics of the prickly pear, and that could have been it. I still think it fell from outer space. Or a weasel threw it at my poor dog. I hear they're pretty mean.
Banned
If it sounds like someone playing with bubble wrap, then it's probly a dang weasel.:scratch:
SoWal Expert
Now I am scared of weasels!
Beach Fanatic
I am very sorry the poor puppy was injured... really I am... but this thread is hysterical!
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