Wildflower - Common Mullein

The Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is starting to bloom. The flowering stem is erect, rigid, up to 8 feet tall, and covered with woolly, branched hairs. Leaves are densely covered on both sides with hairs giving them a frosted appearance and a flannel-like texture.



The sulfur-yellow petals form a 5-lobed saucer-like shaped flower that is less than 1 inch in diameter. An individual plant produces 100,000 to 180,000 seeds.



Common mullein is a native of Eurasia that was brought into North America by early settlers. Once introduced, it apparently spread rapidly. Common mullein is usually found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fence rows, old fields and pastures. It prefers to grow on dry and stony soils.