ExplorePlants

mulleins

Verbascum

Mulleins are tall plants with soft, fuzzy leaves and bright yellow flowers. They grow in sunny places and can be found in fields and along roadsides, waving gently in the breeze.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The mulleins has a strikingly tall, straight flower stalk covered in numerous small, five-petaled yellow flowers. Its large, velvety-soft, grey-green leaves form a dense rosette at the base, making it look quite distinct from other tall weeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyScrophulariaceaeGenusVerbascum
mulleins
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mulleins

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A single mullein plant can produce hundreds of thousands of tiny seeds!

Ancient Romans dipped mullein stalks in tallow to make torches for light!

Its scientific name *Verbascum* might come from Latin for 'beard' because of its fuzzy leaves!

Mullein flowers are sometimes used to make a natural yellow dye for fabrics!

Special abilities

Ability

Velvet Water Shield

Mulleins has thick, fuzzy leaves that trap moisture and protect it from drying winds and thirsty herbivores.

Ability

Towering Seed Spreader

Its incredibly tall stalk lifts seeds high, allowing wind to carry them far away to new growing spots.

Ability

Seed Time Capsule

Mulleins seeds can stay alive in the soil for decades, waiting for the perfect moment to sprout.

Measurements & details

Height
50-250 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-3 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to early fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

Mullein Moth

Cucullia verbasci

larvae feed on leaves

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants unless an adult says it's okay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is mulleins?

50-250 cm

How wide does mulleins spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on mulleins?

1-3 cm

When does mulleins bloom?

Summer to early fall

Is mulleins edible?

Yes

Is mulleins toxic?

None

What is mulleins's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is mulleins pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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