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Verbascum thapsus L.

Common mullein

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderLamialesAromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
FamilyScrophulariaceaeThe figwort family (named for the resemblence of root nodes of some species to tubercular human lymph nodes, or scrophula)
GenusVerbascumA corruption of the Latin Barbascum, the name for these plants
Speciesthapsus“Of or from Thapsus,” (now Tunisia)

About plant names...

Common mullein is a native of Europe, Africa, and Asia; it was introduced to the Americas in the mid-1700s, and to Australia. At least in America, it spreads quickly, displacing local species, and is considered an invasive plant.

Identification: Common mullein goes through a two-year growth cycle. In the first year, the plant has low-growing rosettes of leaves (photo 21). Leaves are bluish-grayish and soft with tiny hairs. In the second year, it shoots upward, producing a single, erect flower stalk covered with tiny yellow flowers about ¼″ (6.3 mm) across. Each flower has five petals. Leaves along the stalk are wide at the bottom and tapering toward the top, giving the plant a cone-shaped appearance. Dead stalks persist for some time.

Medical: At various points in the past, mullein has been used for the contradictory-appearing uses of a fish poison, a "respiratory stimulant," a cough medicine, a cure for diarrhea, and an insecticide for developing mosquitoes.

Online References:

Wikipedia

The Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant Working Group Least Wanted List

Illinois Wildflowers

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

The Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide

Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Wildflowers, Ferns & Trees of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

EFloras

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

1 · 7/27/2016 · State Arboretum of Virginia, Boyce, Virginia

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

2 · 8/28/2014 · Eagle Nest Lake, Eagle Nest, New Mex­ico · By Susan M. Kent

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

3 · 5/6/2011 · Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Chester, Mary­land

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

4 · 8/30/2014 · New Mex­ico · ≈ 10 × 15″ (25 × 37 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

5 · 9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

6 · 8/28/2014 · Eagle Nest Lake, Eagle Nest, New Mex­ico

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

7 · 7/20/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 16 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

8 · 9/3/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

9 · 8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

10 · 8/28/2014 · Eagle Nest Lake, Eagle Nest, New Mex­ico · By Susan M. Kent

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

11 · 8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

12 · 9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

 

Verbascum thapsus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 11 Jul 2023.

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Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

14 · 7/22/2021 · Mitchell Field, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

15 · 8/4/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

16 · 5/19/2016 · Bemis Road Trails, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

17 · 8/4/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 2½ × 3½″ (6.2 × 9.3 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

18 · 8/30/2014 · New Mex­ico

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

19 · 6/29/2023 · Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry, West Vir­ginia

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

20 · 9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

21 · 4/6/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

22 · 8/30/2014 · New Mex­ico · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (47 × 31 cm)

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

23 · 8/29/2007 · Hagelstein Park, Upper Klamath Lake, Ore­gon

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

24 · During the first year of growth, the leaves remain close to the ground. · 4/15/1979 · Virginia · By Tim Chandler

Verbascum thapsus (common mullein)

25 · 7/3/2005 · Bedford, New Hamp­shire

Range:

About this map...