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 grows 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. (Full article...)
... that the Australian entertainer Maynard(pictured) made a career out of being "happily unfashionable", sometimes wearing "a stylish combination of pyjamas and floral beach wear"?
... that Bart Bok and his wife Priscilla, who were both astronomers, worked together so closely that it was "difficult and pointless to separate his achievements from hers"?
The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family. Found throughout Europe and in parts of northern Africa and western Asia, goldfinches feed on small seeds such as those from thistles but may take insects when feeding their young. Goldfinches are commonly kept by humans for both their plumage and their song.
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