An Appreciation of the Ungainly and Inconvenient Thorn

Published: Jan. 28, 2020, 11:42 a.m.

A path through the woods is a compromise between people and the natural world. As long as you stay on the trail you are alright. But if you dare to venture into the brush you will certainly come upon what will be the bane of your off-trail existence: cat briar or green briar or bull thorn ( Smilax rotundifolia ).