Verbascum thapsus is a species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia. It is a hairy biennial plant that can grow to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall or more. Its small yellow flowers are densely grouped on a tall stem, which bolts from a large rosette of leaves. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, but prefers well-lit disturbed soils, where it can appear soon after the ground receives light, from long-lived seeds that persist in the soil seed bank. It is a common weedy plant that spreads by prolifically producing seeds, but rarely becomes aggressively invasive, since its seed require open ground to germinate. It is a very minor problem for most agricultural crops, since it is intolerant of shade from other plants and unable to survive tilling. It is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient and astringent properties. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, expectorant, and analgesic properties. It is recommended for coughs and related problems, but also used in topical applications against a variety of skin problems. The plant was also used to make dyes and torches.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum_thapsus
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1649:
Cromwellian conquest of Ireland: Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army ended the Siege of Drogheda, took over the town and massacred its garrison. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Drogheda
1814:
The Battle of Plattsburgh ended Britain's final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Plattsburgh
1893:
On the opening day of the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism to the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivekananda
1914:
During the First World War, the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force invaded German New Guinea, winning the Battle of Bita Paka. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bita_Paka
2012:
Garment factories in the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Lahore caught fire, leaving 315 dead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Pakistan_garment_factory_fires
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
in memoriam: In memory (of); as a memorial. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/in_memoriam
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Do not flinch from experiences that might destroy your beliefs. The thought you cannot think controls you more than thoughts you speak aloud. Submit yourself to ordeals and test yourself in fire. Relinquish the emotion which rests upon a mistaken belief, and seek to feel fully that emotion which fits the facts. If the iron approaches your face, and you believe it is hot, and it is cool, the Way opposes your fear. If the iron approaches your face, and you believe it is cool, and it is hot, the Way opposes your calm. Evaluate your beliefs first and then arrive at your emotions. Let yourself say: “If the iron is hot, I desire to believe it is hot, and if it is cool, I desire to believe it is cool.” --Eliezer Yudkowsky https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Eliezer_Yudkowsky