Weed of the Week

June 26th 2006

Common Mullein, Verbascum thapus, L.

           

 

Characteristics

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort)

Origin: Came to the US from Europe but is native to Asia

Description:

• Biennial
• Forms a rosette in the first season of growth
• Bolts, flowers, and sets seed in the second year of growth
• Reproduces only by seed

Stems:

• Single stemmed, erect and thick
• Grows up to 6 feet tall

Flowers:

• Bright yellow colored flowers without stems, emerge from multiple long terminal spikes.
• 1 inch or more in diameter, having 5 lobes
• Bloom occurs June-August
• Brownish seeds are 1/32 inch, each plant producing large quantities of seed which remain viable for 120 years!

Leaves:

• Leaves are large and broad, alternate, overlapping and fuzzy
• Color is olive or light green

Location:

    Common Mullein is often found in pasture and rangeland, and along roadways.  Livestock find this weed unpalatable.  It is difficult to control with herbicides, as hairs on leaf surfaces prevent absorption of the chemical.

---

Return to Weed of the Week Page

Return to Park Operations Page

---