#basal rosette

[toknowtheland]

A study in Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

1) Close up of seed head

2) Stalk in silhouette

3) Wet and wrinkly basal rosette

4) Wider angled basal rosette

5) Last year’s leaf

6) Last year’s leaf, spike detail

[geopsych]

Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus, basal rosette.

Those are basically just solar panels it put out this year to power the building of a root system that will then be able to send up a stem and bloom next year. It’s funny to think of how, all summer while the madness of blooming and pollination was taking place around it, it was just taking in the sun.

[positivelyinspiring]

What you probably don't know, that would be beneficial to know, about DANDELIONS...

I think we all know that Dandelions are not usually cultivated in gardens, and are actually one of the most disliked "weeds" of our time- as it is not as delicate looking, colorful, or large and spectacular as other flowers. Something that many people don't think about while trying their hardest to rid their lawns and garden beds of this plant: dandelions have actually been considered sacred to many ancient peoples from all different times, used for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The flower, stem, leaves, and root may be used in a variation of ways.

"The leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They're higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach. You also get vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by using a tasty, free vegetable that grows on virtually every lawn. The root contains the sugar inulin, plus many medicinal substances."

Common uses for this plant include cleansing the blood; aiding digestion, kidney, gall-bladder, and liver function; a general pick-me-up (like common vitamins C and B-12); and also for clearing up greasy skin or acne. The leaf's white milk removes warts, moles, pimples, calluses, and sores- along with soothing bee stings and blisters.

This wonder tool seems to have been forgotten and now passed up (and even destroyed) by many people in society today. Though there are a lot of folks who understand the great use of this plant/herb, along with many others (common and uncommon). You can utilize these amazing benefits yourself by brewing some dandelion tea, adding the leaves to a salad, or any other vegetable dishes.

[Click here] for a list of dandelion recipes (other recipes also available).