File:Birds and nature (1901) (14748242352).jpg

Identifier: birdsnature9101unse (find matches)
Title: Birds and nature
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds Natural history
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Mumford, Publisher
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Lungwort, arose from the resemblance be-tween the leaf and the dewlap of a cow,from which it was argued that the plantmust be a specific for lung diseases. InEngland, where the Mullen is known asBlanket Leaf, the dried leaf is tied aroundthe throat in cases of colds. It is believedthat the leaf sets up a mild irritation whichwill be beneficial. The dried stalks of theplants were often used for torches at fu-nerals which gave rise to the names Highor Hedge Torch. The Great Mullenvaries in height from two to seven feet.The stem is stout, very woolly, withbranching hairs. The oblong. Dale green,velvety leaves form a rosette on theground or alternately clasp the stem. Theflowers, which are about an inch indiameter, are clustered around a thick,dense spike, and have two long and threeshort stamens, so arranged as to materi-ally assist the process of cross fertiliza-tion which is largely carried on by bees.It is interesting to note in connection withthe thick woolly covering of the plant 38
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ORBANA that many vegetable forms are so pro-tected when exposed to intense heat orcold. This is true of most alpine anddesert forms and the value of such a pro-tection to the Mullen will be seen whenit is remembered that the plants are al-ways found in open, dry, stony fields ex-posed to the fierce heat of the sun, andafforded no protection for the rosettesof year-old plants which must survive thewinter in order to send up the flowerstalk the second spring. The Moth Mullen (Verbascum blat-taria) is a far more attractive and grace-ful plant than the form previously de-scribed. The specific name was derived from the idea that the plant would kill thecockroach (Blatta). It was supposedthat moths would not go near the plant,and it was quite a general custom in NewEngland to pack these plants or flowerswith clothing or furs in order to keep outmoths. The stamens are similar to thoseof the Great Mullen, except the filamentsare tufted with violet hairs. The flowersare yellow or white on long

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