jens — September 17, 2009, 2:25 pm
Image Gloss September 17th
I found my word on page 192. The sentence reads:
And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap’d stones, elder, mullein and poke-weed.
![mullein_silver_large[1]](../../../../files/2009/09/mullein_silver_large13.jpg "mullein_silver_large[1]")
Here is a picture of a Mullein with its yellow flower.
It is said that the Mullein plant was used for several different purposes. It was used to make teas and was widely used in and for medical treatment. One of the biggest was tuberbulosis in the time of Whitman. It has also been used to treat a wide varity of other medical problems including, sore throat, tonsillitis and dry coughs. If made into a tea it can be used to treat headaches. (from healthline.com)
Here is the Mullein plant without its flower.
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I really think it’s right in line with Whitman’s character to rattle off everyday, mundane flowers (well, actually weed-like plants, versus actually beautiful flowers) to emphasize that even those things have purpose and are beautiful in their own ways. Yet, I do think that the mullein is pretty. It’s small and simple, but lovely in its own way.