Crow poison by prickly pear

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It’s not clear why Nothoscordum bivalve is commonly called crow poison, but if you happen to be a crow you’d probably best steer clear of this diminutive but common wildflower. It’s a member of the same botanical family as garlic and onions but lacks their pungent odor, so people also call it false garlic. As you can see, this one had sprung up adjacent to a prickly pear that was one of three types of cactus I found growing together on March 2. It reminds us of Dolly Parton’s adage that “wildflowers don’t care where they grow,” even if you or I would be pointedly unhappy in that spot.

© 2012 Steven Schwartzman