How to identify Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Common mullein, also known as Greater Mullein, Blanket Leaf, Candlewick, Duffle, Feltwort, Flannel Leaf, Fluffweed, Hare's Beard, High Taper, King's Taper, Lady's Foxglove, Light of the Lord, Old Man's Flannel, Shepherd's Club, Torches, Velvet Leaf, White Mullein, Woundweed, Aaron's rod, Jupiter's staff
Common mullein is a woolly biennial plant that features a prominent flower spike, ascending as high as 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters). This species showcases rosettes of soft, velvety leaves complemented by its towering stalk lined with yellow flowers. Characteristically, the flowers have conspicuous, bearded stamens, adding to the plant’s distinctive, fuzzy appearance. Commonly seen in open, disturbed habitats, its robust height and woolly traits are notable for easy field identification.
Lifespan: Biennial, Perennial, Annual
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Prominent flower spike reaching 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) tall.
Yellow flowers with conspicuous, bearded stamens.
Dense, cylindrical flower cluster 1/2 - 2 feet (15 - 60 cm) long.
Ovoid fruit capsule covered in hairy texture, releasing abundant seeds.
Rosettes of soft, velvety leaves with dense woolly hairs.
The leaves of common mullein are 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) long, elliptical, and pointed at both ends, tapering to a winged stalk. Both the stems and leaves are densely covered with woolly hairs, giving them a soft, velvety texture. In the first year, the plant forms a large rosette of grayish-green leaves. In the second year, it produces a wand-like stalk with alternating leaves that are larger at the base and become smaller towards the top.
The flowers of common mullein form a dense, cylindrical cluster, arranged in a spike-like raceme, typically 1/2 - 2 feet (15 - 60 cm) long. Each bloom is 3/4 inch (2 cm) wide with 5 yellow, lobed petals. These fragrant flowers appear from June to September. The flower stalk's height can be indeterminate, often reaching up to 10 feet (3 meters) or more, with taller stalks blooming for a more extended period.
The fruit of common mullein is an ovoid to rounded capsule, covered with a hairy texture. It measures about 1/4 inch in diameter and, once mature, it splits open into two valves. This dehiscence mechanism releases a prolific number of seeds, ranging from 100,000 to 180,000. These seeds disperse primarily in the immediate vicinity of the parent plant. The tiny seeds are a means of the extensive propagation of common mullein.
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Scientific Classification of Common mullein
