Specific epithet honors the ancient village of Thapsus (now in ruins) located near Carthage in modern day Tunisia. Within the Scrophulariaceae family, the genus Verbascum consists of about 300 species native to Europe, West and Central Asia, and North Africa. Native Plant Trust or respective copyright holders. It was introduced in the mid -1700s to Virginia as a piscicide (fish poison) and spread rapidly. Stamens 5, of which 2 long and 3 short; long stamen filaments often sparsely haired, with short, white hairs. to exist in the county by wide, yellow, fused, wheel-shaped, short-tubed, 5-lobed. Great Mullein is a plant of dry, sunny places including coastal sand dunes. Mulleins were later used as lamp or candle wicks and burned as tinder. Blade elliptic–ovately elongated, blunt-tipped, both sides densely haired, with entire or shallowly toothed margin. Additionally, with increasing elevation there is a strong tendency toward polycarpy and extreme stem fasciation, resulting in increased ), the Great Mullein, is a widely distributed plant, being found all over Europe and in temperate Asia as far as the Himalayas, and in North America is exceedingly abundant as a naturalized weed in the eastern States. Found this plant? habitat in the united states Common mullein can be found where mean annual precipitation is greater than 3-6 inches and the growing season lasts for a minimum of 140 days. Its small yellow flowers are densely grouped on a tall stem, which bolts from a large rosette of leaves. Dark Mullein, Of the four species growing in New Zealand, Verbascum thapsus ‘the woolly Mullein’ which is especially prolific in paddocks right through the Hawkes Bay and also in the South Island and Verbascum virgatum ‘the moth Mullein’ are the most common. I Introduction. (intentionally or Family: Figwort Family – Scrophulariaceae. All images and text © Most are tall, stout biennials with large leaves and flowers in long terminal spikes. in part by the National Science Foundation. It is distributed in different areas of Pakistani like Kurram Agency, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Gilgit, Deosai, Baltistan, Drass, Ladakh, Hazara, Kashmir, Baluchistan and Punjab (Shinwari and Gilani, 2003). Predictions of fate from rosette size in 4 "biennial" plant species: Verbascum thapsus, Oenothera biennis, Daucus carota, and Tragopogon dubius. Verbascum thapsus is a biennial plant of the Scrophulariaceae family that produces a rosette of leaves in its first year of growth. The plant changes dramatically in the second year with the conspicuous 5-10 feet tall flowering stalk. Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), cliffs, balds, or ledges, meadows and fields, ridges or ledges The Finnish name for the plant comes from the fact that in olden days they would be covered in pitch or tar and used as torches, and this is also the basis of its majestic old name ‘candela regia’, meaning ‘king’s candle’. The Go Botany project is supported the state. Verbascum thapsus was introduced to the island of Hawai`i sometime around 1900 and has since spread into dry montane environments on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai volcanoes. It was probably introduced into North America several times as a medicinal herb. 6.  Non-native: introduced Attempts were also made to smoke mulleins in pipes – the leaves were used like tobacco, apparently to help treat a cough because the species have a strong reputation for being able to cure lung diseases. V. thapsus is a dicotyledonous plant that produces a rosette of leaves in its first year of growth. ... Habitat. Verbascum thapsus is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) at a fast rate. These flowers have five petals arranged in a leafy spike. This plant was introduced in the mid eighteenth century as the source of a fish poison. Native American healing traditions began to incorporate the herb into their repertoire as Eclectic physicians took note and used the plant for its demulcent qualities and as a mild nervine. Location in Nebraska. Common mullein is a biennial native to Eurasia and Africa that develops a basal rosette of felt-like leaves the first year, then bolts to heights of six feet or more. All rights reserved. Verbascum thapsus (Great or Common Mullein) is a species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia.. To reuse an Copyright: various copyright holders. The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. post Verbascum thapsus occurs in areas with an average annual precipitation of 20-60 in. The leaves are large, up to 50 cm long. evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). The plant begins as a rosette and leaves have a thick hair cover. Habitat. Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. There is substantial intraspecific variation in time of reproduction in most monocarpic plants. UPL). Habitat and distribution. According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. The New York Flora Atlas is a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state, as well as information on plant habitats, associated ecological communities, and taxonomy. Verbascum thapsus L. grows wild on stony ground, in wasteland, woodland, clearings and roadsides (Turker and Gurel, 2005). NH, Note: when native and non-native Oecologia. 1978). Show The Alabama Plant Atlas is a source of data for the distribution of plants within the state as well as taxonomic, conservation, invasive, and wetland information for each species. is shown on the map. Edward G. Reekie, in Plant Resource Allocation, 1997. Scientific Name: Verbascum thapsus. Rangelands, woodlands, and pastures. The central stem is stout, ribbed, and usually glabrous beneath the inflorescence. top. These striking flowers, which in Britain and Ireland can be seen in bloom from June through to August, are usually at their best in July. ... habitat and range for mullein Verbascum thapsus is native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia. → Verbascum nigrum x thapsus (Kasviatlas, University of Helsinki). It prefers dry sandy soil, but can be found in a variety of well-drained soils in … The common mullein blooms bright, yellow flowers from June-August. Basal leaves short-stalked, stem leaves decurrent. In the eastern part of its range in China, it is, however, only reported to grow up to 1.5 m tall. Habitat. It prefers dry sandy soils but can grow in chalk and limestone. Colonization by Verbascum thapsus (mullein) of an old-field in Michigan- experiments on the effects of vegetation. unintentionally); has become naturalized. Verbascum thapsus: flowers dense, the axis of the inflorescence mostly concealed, and hairs of plant branched and eglandular (vs. V. blattaria, with flowers sparse, the axis of the inflorescence visible, and hairs of stem simple and glandular). Exact status definitions can vary from state to 5 mm (0.2 in.) Distribution and habitat The plant has a broad Irano-Turanian distribution, as well as a broad Mediterranean distribution (stretching from the Mediterranean coastal regions to West and South Iran). Today's featured plant is Common Mullein, Verbascum thapsus. in 20 years). Common mullein is widespread throughout southern Ontario but rather rare in the northern part of the province, occurring usually in dry sandy or gravelly soils, along roadsides, waste places and poor pastures. Verbascum thapsus is a member of the Figwort or Scrophulariaceae family. Genus: Verbascum. Your help is appreciated. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. Go Botany: Native Plant Trust First year mulleins have low growing rosettes with alternate, bluish/gray-green leaves that range from 1-5 inches wide and 4-12 inches long. Flower: Corolla almost regular, 12–25 mm (0.48–1 in.) In its native range, V. thapsus is commonly found on dry, rocky hillsides, disturbed areas and open woodland. Leaves can also be used as a poultice to sooth sunburns and other skin irritaitions. We depend on Common Name: Common Mullein, Flannel-plant, Woolly Mullein, Velvet-plant Leaves: In basal rosette and alternate on stem. Verbascum thapsus ssp. Great mullein’s relative dark mullein (V. nigrum) has violet-haired stamens, its leaves do not extend decurrently along the stem, and the plant is in general dark green. Verbascum thapsus was introduced to the island of Hawai'i sometime around 1900 and has since spread into dry montane environments on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna ha, and Hualdai volcanoes. State documented: documented [69385] 49. Height: 30–150 cm. It prefers well-drained soils with pH 6.5 to 7.8. Verbascum blattaria Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) Description: This herbaceous biennial plant is 1½–3' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. Flowering time: July–September. Stem grey, felt-haired. Habitat: The common mullein grows best in open fields, along roadsides, and around waste areas. long, septicidal capsule. It seems to have been important in its day and was used as a versatile medicinal herb: many old Finnish names refer to its abundant beneficial properties; it was believed to be a highly potent medicine. The dead stem stays erect throughout the next winter or two. VT. Fields, roadsides, waste areas, railroads, ledges, clearings. Common Mullein – Verbascum thapsus. The website also provides access to a database and images of plants photos and herbarium specimens found at … The leaves are large, up to 50 cm long. NATURAL HISTORY Habitat: Verbascum thapsus is native to Europe and Asia (Semenza et al. (12–60 in.) Also covers those considered historical (not seen Showy Mullein, Dark Mullein, Figwort, Purple Mullein, Showy Mullein, Yellow Figwort. Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), cliffs, balds, or ledges, meadows and fields, ridges or ledges, Occurs only in non-wetlands. It is a hairy biennial plant that can grow to 2 m or more tall. Each flower is itself only open for a couple of days, but the flowering stem as a whole can last for months. Native Habitat Restoration in Western Wisconsin. All rights reserved. Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus, is a perennial herb that was first introduced into the United States in the mid-1700s by colonies in Virginia and was used as a … 2020 The tall, pole-like stems end in a dense spike of flowers that can occupy up to half the stem length. you. © Copyright: Images: Jouko Lehmuskallio, Outi Hovatta. It can be found in neglected meadows, forest openings, pastures, fence rows, roadsides, and industrial areas. Blooming Times. ... European habitat. L. E. common mullein. Gross, Katherine L. 1981. Mullein is often found around inhabited areas. It is met with throughout Britain (except in the extreme north of Scotland) and also in Ireland and the Channel Islands, on hedge-banks, by roadsides and on waste … Inflorescence spike-like, usually unbranched. Calyx 5-lobed, densely haired. 03. Common mullein is a biennial plant that reproduces only by seeds and is a prolific seed producer. (Wetland indicator code: Pistil a fused carpel. (0.5-1.5 m) and a 140-day growing season. populations both exist in a county, only native status It has a woolly stem which is erect, 2-6 feet tall, without branches. Habitat Description Verbascum thapsus is found establishing in neglected meadows and pasture lands, along fence rows and roadsides, and in industrial areas throughout North America (Hoshovsky, 1986). In North America, South America and Australia Verbascum thapsus is an introduced alien species. Distinguishing Features Verbascum thapsus. The genus name Verbascum comes from the Latin word barbascum which means "bearded", in reference to the hairy stamen filaments of some species. Menu. Identify species based on their characteristics! Purple Mullein, NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database. state. donations to help keep this site free and up to date for In its first year great mullein grows a large, dense, woolly leaf rosette, and in its second year it develops its flowering stem and stretches upwards, reaching even the same height as a person. Also covers image, please click it to see who you will need to contact. Fruit: Hairy, approx. a sighting. to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within RI, Habitat: Meadows, dry meadows, slopes, rocky outcrops, roadsides, railway embankments, waste ground. In addition, users can learn about the location of vouchered specimens and see images to get a better visual for each plant. Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Verbascum Species, Aaron's Rod, Adam's Flannel, Common Mullein, Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) supplied by … Species Epithet: thapsus. Like many herbs of European origin, mullein grew abundantly in its new habitat. Common Mullein is native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Uses All Characteristics, the edge of the leaf blade is entire (has no teeth or lobes), the sepals are fused to each other (not other flower parts), at least near their bases, the upper lip of the bilabiate corolla has two lobes, the fruit is ellipsoid (widest in the middle and tapering to each end), the hairs on the fruits appear tangled or woolly, the leaf has a distinct leaf stalk (petiole), the leaf blade is elliptic (widest near the middle and tapering at both ends), the leaf blade is oblong (rectangular but with rounded ends), the leaf blade is obovate (egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade), the leaves drop off in winter (or they whither but persist on the plant), the leaves have no leaf stalks, but attach directly to the stem, the petiole attaches at the basal margin of the leaf blade, at least some of the hairs on the stem are branched, at least some of the hairs on the stem are tangled, matted or woolly. The second-year plants normally produce a single unbranched stem, usually 1–2 m tall. Discover thousands of New England plants. thapsus 68(3): 919-927. Habitat: Meadows, dry meadows, slopes, rocky outcrops, roadsides, railway embankments, waste ground. Habitat. Can you please help us? Verbascum blattaria ‘the white Mullein’ is mostly in Auckland though occasionally found as far south as the Wairarapa region. Fun Facts: Common mullein is a medicinal plant, a tea made from its leaves is used as a cold remedy, and its roots and flowers can be used to treat earaches and croup. those considered historical (not seen in 20 years). The leaves grow down the stalk in an a… On the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion (environmentally similar to Hawai`i), mullein has also recently become established in comparable montane zones. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3 and is not frost tender. For details, please check with your state. Journal of Ecology. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The species best-known among herbalists is the homely but useful common mullein, V. thapsus. Take a photo and In its first year great mullein grows a large, dense, woolly leaf rosette, and in its second year it develops its flowering stem and stretches upwards, reaching even the same height as a person. County documented: documented ---Habitat---Verbascum thapsus (Linn. CT, MA, ME, It was brought to America, probably in the 1700s, as a medicinal herb and a fish poison. Intolerant of shade, mullein will grow in almost any open area including natural meadows and forest openings as well as neglected pastures, road cuts, industrial areas. Description. For example, in the “biennial” Verbascum thapsus, reproduction may actually take place in the first, second, or third year of growth depending on latitude and successional status of the habitat (Reinartz, 1984a, b). Common mullein is an erect herb that is also known as wooly mullein because of its felt-like leaves.