I felt piercing, burning and unrelenting pain. I had not seen the goat thorn hidden in plain site. Such a small plant, a common plant here in the desert. Never having lived in the desert before I had nothing to base my experience on. They hid in plain sight especially in the border of Bermuda grass.

When I took my sandal off there it was, well lodged in the sole of my shoe. The head of the goat thorn creates a puncture wound. Looking around, I saw a knowing smile from a passerby. The first I had heard of them was a bike rider standing next to a very flat tire. “Damn those goat thorns”, was muttered as I walked past.

The plants of the desert help you to understand the pain of a puncture wound!