Our high school biology teacher taught us how to identify rhus radicans and not to ever forget it. "Leaves of three, let it be," he said; so when we saw these three leaves alongside the trail, we knew to steer clear; but the unfamiliar umbel of pretty, star-shaped flowers confused us. A closer inspection (on my knees) revealed a leafless stalk supporting the umbel, which grew not from the three leaves but from a tuft of flat, narrow basal leaves. A trick! We laughed at our momentary confusion. A bit of research tells us rhus radican's leaning on allium cernuum. Nodding Wild Onion and Poison Ivy, thanks for the laugh.
I praise you, Lord, for everything about this evening's walk on the trails.
