HAVE A SAFE TRIP
RED TWIGS, WHITE BERRIES
MULLEIN ALONG BETZOLD ROADWednesday, 7:45 AM. 68 degrees, wind SW, calm. The channel is like glass. The barometer predicts partly cloudy skies but it is perfectly clear now, a “perfect ten” day.
The roadsides along Hwy J and Betzold Road in the orchard country are lined with magnificent yellow flowered common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) a very attractive field and garden biennial of European and Asian origin now naturalized nearly everywhere. In England it is called “candles” or “torches” and has a long folkloric history in magic and herbal healing. Since ancient times it has been used extensively for lung ailments and similar problems, where its antiseptic and astringent qualities are useful. Oil of mullein seeds is useful in healing ear infections, and a mullein leaf wrapped around a festering cut or similar skin eruption is very effective in drawing out the infection. I always keep a few mullein plants around for just such an eventuality.
The white berries of the red twig dogwood, Cornus stolonifera, are ripening.
The Denver contingent is leaving this morning. We had a fine time, but I need to recover from many days of house painting, which is almost complete. Thanks, Doug!
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