What Next?

While on my morning hike around the pond checking to see the status of the phrags something got my attention. I thought this plant looks like it belongs in the jungle. I took some pictures and sent them to Dr. Jesien, Science Coordinator for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The following is his reply: "I believe you have a very large specimen of wild lettuce. The stalk is very large and I'm not familiar with one that are so large. If it is a lettuce, you should get a white milky substance when you break of a stem or leaf. The milky substance is called lettuce opium but is not really an opiate although it is used as an herbal medicine.  In fact the plant is used as a sleep tonic, in soaps and teas. The flower structure would provide the final answer and from the looks of the picture, flowers should be pretty soon. "

That plant is over 6 feet tall and the stalk is thicker than a broom stick. The funny thing is just the other day a man asked me just what good is the pond, it doesn't do anything and you can't do anything with, in or on it so what good is it? Maybe this is  our answer to funding.... herbal medicine.