A low-growing plant with small pink or purple flowers and distinctive long, twisted seed pods shaped like needles or awls; common in dry regions.
From Spanish 'alfilerillo' (small needle), derived from Arabic 'al-khiyaṭ' (the thread) or from 'alfiler' (needle). The name refers to the needle-like appearance of the plant's seeds. It entered English through Southwestern American English as the plant became familiar on rangelands.
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