I chanced upon this delicate little flower while cutting across a vacant lot in downtown St. Pete yesterday evening. I was captivated by the tiny, white blooms and soft fragrance.

Thankfully, I chose to take a photo instead of picking it because every part of this plant packs a potent irritant (similar to stinging nettle). This low-growing native’s common name, Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus) serves as a warning.

This plant and I might have a couple things in common…