Reflections from Bon Bon Pond: August 2015

Years back, Pine Point Park officials planted a grove of fruit trees in the prairie section of the park—which is across the street from Bon Bon Acres—in an effort to provide sustenance to the wildlife over the winter. Each year since, unscrupulous people think they have the right to steal this fruit from the animals. Yesterday, an elderly couple showed up in a shiny new pickup truck, parked illegally and proceeded to place tarps down on the ground after which they violently shook the trees and raped them of their entire harvest.

Thank goodness there are many fruit trees here at Bon Bon Acres. I take nothing from my orchard and leave everything for the wildlife so hopefully that will help offset the damage that has been done.

Selfish people need to know that it is against the law to take or bring anything into a park. Trees and bushes that are planted here have been done so for the express purpose of helping the animals and not for your personal use. If you want to make jelly, go to a farmers’ market!

Below: The bountiful, and beautiful, park orchard BEFORE it was raped and pillaged by despicable humans.

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One of the most interesting wildflowers growing in the Bon Bon Acres pasture is the Verbascum thapsus (great mullein or common mullein). Categorized as a “hairy biennial plant” it can reach heights up to six feet!

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.

It is widely used for herbal remedies, with well-established emollient and astringent properties. Mullein remedies are especially recommended for coughs and related problems, but also used in topical applications against a variety of skin problems.

Not only is this plant pretty but it’s a favorite with honeybees. Look closely at the photo and you will see one!

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