common mullein

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Scientific Name

Verbascum thapsus

Other Common Names:

wild tobacco

Quaker rogue

mullein

flannel-plant

great mullein

Habit

This erect biennial, flowers from June through September with fruit present from October through March.

Leaves

At the base of the plant, the wooly leaves form a basal rosette. As the plant grows taller during the second year, the leaves grow alternately. The elliptic leaves have no petioles, and grow directly from the base of the stem. The leaves are largest at the base, and get smaller as you move up the stem. The densely hairy stems can reach 6 feet in height.

Identifying Characteristics

This plant can be identified by its hairy leaves with straight margins.

Flower Seed Head

The yellow flowers are densely clustered on a 20-inch long, cylindrical spike. Each 1-inch flower has 5 petals, hairy sepals with 5 lobes.

Seed Fruit

The seeds develop in an ovoid capsule that is divided into 2 cells. The capsules turn brown, splitting to release seeds, and remain on the stalk through winter.

Where Found

This plant can be found growing in forests, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

Growth Habit

Varies:

upright and nonwoody,

prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

dime

Dominant Flower Color

white

Flower Symmetry

Varies:

radial symmetery,

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

Varies:

round,

lance,

oval

Leaf Arrangement

Varies:

alternate,

whorled,

rosette

Leaf Margin

Varies:

serrated,

wavy

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

Varies:

none,

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies:

fibrous,

taproot

Life Cycle

summer annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb