Thursday, June 24, 2010

Weed Or Flower?

Well, I guess it all depends on how you view it.

This is a photo I took recently of a Moth Mullein plant flowering. It's a lot "sexier" than the common mullein plants you see. (My cousin and I used to "sword fight" with those - they really hurt if you swung them hard enough!)

I zipped past a lot of these plants on the highway on my return trip from "up north" a few weeks ago. I can't say they looked very impressive at 70 miles an hour, but I did wonder what they were. So I stopped on the side of the road and took a few pictures. When I got home and flipped through my weeds and wildflowers guide, I saw it was a "weed".

On my morning walk a few days ago, I saw a moth mullein plant tucked in with the tall grasses. So, I plucked the whole plant from its place in the Michigan mud. (Hey, it's a "weed", right?) Then I replanted it in some organic soil and it's currently flowering on my porch, right up the stalk. And it's gorgeous.

From this perspective it is definitely a flower. I'm reminded of orchids, even. I thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy.