ExplorePlants

great mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Great mullein is a tall plant with fuzzy leaves and bright yellow flowers. It grows in sunny places and is often found along roadsides and in fields.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The great mullein has distinctive velvety, grey-green leaves forming a large basal rosette, from which a towering flower stalk emerges. Its vibrant yellow, five-petaled flowers bloom sequentially up the spire, making it appear like a fuzzy, living candelabra.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyScrophulariaceaeGenusVerbascum
great mullein
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great mullein

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans dipped its dry stalks in oil to make towering torches!

Its yellow flowers can be boiled to create a natural, beautiful yellow dye!

Mullein is a "pioneer plant," often the very first to grow in newly disturbed soil.

Some cultures believed mullein could ward off evil spirits and bad luck!

Special abilities

Ability

Water Saver Fur

Great mullein has soft, woolly hairs covering its leaves and stem, which trap moisture and protect it from harsh sun and cold.

Ability

Sky-High Seed Spreader

Great mullein can grow a towering flower stalk up to 8 feet tall, helping its many small seeds scatter widely with wind.

Ability

Sleeping Seed Army

Great mullein produces thousands of tiny seeds that can lie dormant in the soil for over 100 years, waiting to sprout.

Measurements & details

Height
50-250 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1.5-3 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar from its flowers

eats

mullein moth

Cucullia verbasci

caterpillars feed on its leaves

eats

American goldfinch

Spinus tristis

consumes its tiny seeds

Traits

Also known as

Common MulleinVelvet Plant

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult, as some can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is great mullein?

50-250 cm

How wide does great mullein spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on great mullein?

1.5-3 cm

When does great mullein bloom?

Summer

Is great mullein edible?

Yes

Is great mullein toxic?

None

What is great mullein's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is great mullein pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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