Verbascum thapsus
Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
This striking member of the Figwort family sports a dense spike of bright yellow flowers atop a tall, woolly stem. Each flower is 3/4 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm) wide and has 5 united petals (with 5 stamens and 1 pistil). The basal rosette of leaves range from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30.5 cm) long, are soft, velvety and oblong. Upper leaves are smaller and stalkless Plants reach heights of 2 to 8 feet (0.61 to 2.4 m) and are found along roadsides and in fields. Flowers bloom in June through September.
