Common Mullein

Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus L.

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

▲ first year rosette

▲ leaf bases extend down stem to give slightly winged stem effect

▲ ▼ second year stem elongation and flowering

▲ ▼ flowers

Common Mullein:

biennial weed with large, very fuzzy, gray-green rosette of leaves during first year
second year produces tall spike (2-8') with smaller, fuzzy leaves and many small yellow flowers opening sporadically over summer
produces abundant seed
found on roadsides, pastures, railroad right-of-ways, non-crop areas with rocky soils
somewhat difficult to control with herbicides due to hairy leaves