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Common Mullein — Verbascum thapsus — Family: Scrophulariaceae — Figwort
Large oblong densely-hairy leaves growing from a rosette in the first year. Leaves have alternate arrangement in second year. Mullein is commonly found in headlands and boundary areas. Very characteristic flower stalk in second year; can reach six (6) feet tall with yellow flowers on the upper two-thirds of the terminal spike.
Other weeds in the Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family:
Large oblong densely-hairy leaves growing from a rosette in the first year. Leaves have alternate arrangement in second year. Mullein is commonly found in headlands and boundary areas. Very characteristic flower stalk in second year; can reach six (6) feet tall with yellow flowers on the upper two-thirds of the terminal spike.
Also Known As...
- velvet dock
- big taper
- candle-wick
- flannel-leaf
- woolly mullein
- lamb's ear
first year growth in a basal rosette
thick large oblong densely-hairy leaves
leaves appear very heavy with dew
characteristic yellow flower stalk
The thick densely-hair leaves of common mullein are not easily mistaken for other plants.
Links:
Consistent, routing mowing excludes mullein from most turfgrass sites. However, it may readily occur in adjacent boundary areas (e.g. secondary rough). As a biennial, it is more common to see mullein in the first five years after disturbance. Frequency will diminish over time in stable sites (as meadow canopy density increases).
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