Woodland cloaked in white:
invasion of Old Man’s Beard.
Whisker trimming time.
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As someone who can’t resist sharing offbeat historical facts, I learned today that the French name for old man’s beard is ‘herbe aux gueux’ (the rascal’s or beggar’s herb).
Apparently, beggars used to rub the acrid sap from this plant on themselves to give their skin a sore and ulcerated appearance, so that passers-by would pity them and cough up donations of money, food, or clothing.
Sarah Potter Writes 