25 September 2023
Have you ever observed white fluff blowing within the wind in recent times? The fluff isn’t from dandelions. At the moment of yr it’s from pilewort.
Pilewort (Erechtites hieraciifolius) is a local plant within the Aster circle of relatives that appears very weedy, even unsightly. At two to 8 toes tall the flower heads at the pointers of the branches seem like seed pods as a result of they slightly open to reveal pistils and stamens. To understand the flower you want a magnifying glass. Its good looks is microscopic.
It doesn’t take a lot wind to set it going. Do you spot the flying fluff on this closeup? Search for the tiny yellow arrow on this photograph and the only at most sensible.
Why is it referred to as pilewort? The typical identify actually way “hemorrhoid plant.” Penn State Extension explains.
Local American citizens used American burnweed [pilewort] to regard rashes brought about by means of publicity to poison ivy and poison sumac. Medicinally, it has additionally been used as an emetic and to regard dysentery, eczema, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. It’s been used to create a blue dye for wool and cotton and, regardless of its intense taste, may also be eaten uncooked or cooked.
Pileweed’s different commonplace identify is American burnweed as it grows simply after brush fires. It loves disturbed soil and is straightforward to search out by means of the aspect of the street, in churned up gardens, and in city spaces. On this age of bulldozers, roto-tillers and lawn digging, pilewort has many alternatives to germinate.
I discovered numerous it at Duck Hole.
Possibly it’s a excellent factor that pilewort grows prolifically. A 2002 learn about in Japan discovered that Erechtites hieraciifolius is excellent at soaking up the greenhouse gasoline, nitrogen dioxide, turning it into an natural shape.
It might not be gorgeous however pilewort crops itself by means of the aspect of the street after which cleans the air.
(footage by means of Kate St. John)