common mullein	USDA PLANTS Symbol: VETH U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Verbascum thapsus L.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Scrophulariales: Scrophulariaceae
Synonym(s): big taper, flannel mullein, flannel plant, great mullein, mullein, velvet dock, velvet plant, woolly mullein
Native Range: Europe and Asia ()
Common mullein is a biennial forb native to Eurasia and Africa. Plants are unbranched and can grow to more than 6.6 ft. (2 m) tall. First year plants develop as a basal rosette of felt-like leaves. Basal leaves are 4-12 in. (10.2-30.5 cm) long, 1-5 in. (2.5-12.7 cm) wide and covered with woolly hairs. The plant bolts in the second year. Flowering occurs in June to August, when five-petaled, yellow flowers develop at the apex of the shoot. Cauline (stem) leaves are decurrent, alternate and decrease in size towards the apex. The fruit is a ovoid capsule that splits releasing many seeds that germinate in water. Common mullein was introduced to North America in the mid-1700s as a fish poison.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); June. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society. James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; leaves Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); deformed flowerhead Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); in flower Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org