The Usefulness of Science Trivia

For the last couple of weeks I've been keeping an eye out for aspirin whenever I go shopping. Not, as might be sensible, because it appears that Covid-19 coagulates the blood somehow, and having mild blood-thinners on hand might be a wise precaution. Rather, because salicylic acid also helps keep plant juices flowing, and so extends the life of cut flowers, and might keep my kitchen bouquets fresh a little longer.* But there has been no aspirin. Evidently I am not the only one who has made the anticoagulation connection. South Cambridgeshire is replete with scientists, after all.

Just this afternoon I realised that I have a willow in my garden, and it needs trimming anyway. If I can't get some salicylic acid from a Salix alba then what is this retention of scientific trivia FOR?

*I have some 'dispersible aspirin' from an 'I wonder what this is' phase on a similar errand a few months ago. It turns out it is just aspirin with sodium laureth sulphate added to make it dissolve in water faster. The SLS destroys the plant stems but it means I do have some human-grade aspirin on hand should I need any for, you know, me.