Friday 18 May 2012

Common Mullein

  • Very soft, thick, velvet-like leaves, up to 30 cm long.
  • Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds.
  • The leaves were used in the past for diapers & toilet paper. 
  • Indians of North America lined their moccasins with the leaves to keep out the cold, and colonists used them in their stockings for the same reason.
  • The tall stalks (to 8 ft) that develop in the 2nd year were dipped in melted fat and used for torches by Roman soldiers.
  • The stalk has alternate leaves that clasp the stem and direct rainwater down the stem to the roots. 
  • Yellow flowers (1/4 to 1 inch across) bloom randomly in the stalk. 
Sources:  1. Ontario Wildflowers by Linda Kershaw
                           - Lone Pine Publishing - 2002
              2. http://www.herbcompanion.com

April 9th, 2012

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