what i like about this plant are the contradictions in what looks to be a sweet, unassuming, nondescript bit of understory. i like how you can see it growing in both directions, up toward the nutrients of the sun, and down into the nutrients of the earth. i like the smooth, simple leaves, compared to the complicated filaments of the roots. but mostly i like the assertive little thorns. don’t mess with me, they’re saying. there’s more to me than meets the eye.

unidentified trailside weed

vadnais lake trail, saint paul, minnesota