35 



GREAT MULLEIN. 



The Common or Great Mullein, 

 which is shown at the left on the op- 

 posite picture, is one of the common- 

 est plants along our roadsides and 

 in dry. rocky fields. In spring, tiny 

 velvety leaves first appear, these 

 gradually increasing in size until they 

 become quite large and spread out in 

 a rosette on the ground. From the 

 middle of this rosette appear a tiny 

 stalk which also kee]3s increasing in 

 size and length until finally the sum- 

 mit may be from two to seven feet 

 above ground. A few smaller leaves 

 alternate in erect positions along this 

 stalk. At the summit is a long spike 



of green buds which open a few at a time and very irreg- 

 ularly into pretty five-parted bright yellow flowers. These 

 stalks stand all through the fall and winter months as silent 

 watchers over the barren fields. Even though classed only 

 as a weed, it is a very handsome one, visited by many bees 

 and the summit used by many a Kingbird as a convenient 

 lookout perch. Children find many uses in their play from 

 the soft, woolly leaves and in former times mild decoctions 

 were also made from them for the relief and possible cure 

 of throat troubles. 



MOTH MLLLEIX. also found in neglected or waste 

 places, is tall but slender and apparently rather frail, — 

 quite different from the stocky, powerful species last de- 

 scribed. The flowers are shown at the right in the illus- 

 tration on this page. They are larger and handsomer than 

 the last, the bright orange-tirjped stamens being quite prom- 

 inent. A very loose cluster of buds appears at the top 

 of the stalk and only one or two of them open each day, re- 

 maining open only for the one day. 



The leaves, which seldom are present during the flower- 

 ing season, are rather small and erect, and have notched or 

 toothed edges. They have not the woolly texture of the 

 last species but are smooth. Although known as Moth Mul- 

 lein, it is believed that bees are the most frequent agents for 

 fertilizing the blossoms. 



