Verbascum thapsus L.

Woolly Mullein; Common Mullein; Flannel Plant

Herb

Biennial

Vascular

Woolly Mullein is an introduced herbaceous annual or biennial in the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). It is native to Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. Moth Mullen can be found throughout Alabama on roadsides, along railroads, in pastures, in prairies, and in urban lots. It is an annual or biennial from a stout taproot. Stems are erect, 2-6 feet in height, and densely and persistently tomentose. The leaves are petiolate, basal and cauline (cauline reduced in size upwards), obovate to elliptic in outline, and persistently tomentose. The margins are crenate to entire. Flowers are produced in a thick, terminal, tomentose, unbranched inflorescence. Individual flowers have 5 green, tomentose sepals. The corolla is rotate with 5 yellow lobes. The fruit is a capsule. The leaves of Woolly Mullein have been used as toilet paper, baby diapers, and to stuff shoes that have developed holes. In traditional medicine the leaves were smoked to treat lung ailments such as asthma and emphysema. During the Civil War the leaves were soaked in vinegar and used as bandages. Woolly Mullein is easily grown from seed. It makes an interesting foliage plant with its large pubescent gray leaves. It requires full sun and thrives in poor, dry soils.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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