fangs and fibre

palm tree structure. I didn't realise how complicated the trunks of these trees can be until I got up close. 
I was on my way to the doctors to get a blood test, and I complimented the pathology nurse for her expert drawing of blood that caused no pain at all. Later as I was looking at the images I was reminded of the quote - 'nature, red in tooth and claw' (from a Tennyson poem I believe), and that I had been looking at a plant that seems to have vicious 'teeth and claws' that could easily have ripped me as I investigated it, whilst on my way to have blood drawn from me. A somewhat ironic association maybe.

The extra photo shows the more fibrous, slightly 'woven' parts of the trunk.