From African violets to wooly mullein, I've always been fascinated by fuzzy leaves. Whether you consider common mullein a noxious weed, a useful herb, or a handsome ornamental probably depends on how many plants you have in a given area. We have just a few, and so we find it charming and useful.
- Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) Fact Sheet from the Plant Conservation Alliance Alien Plant Working Group's "Least Wanted" list.
Common mullein was first introduced into the U.S. in the mid-1700's, where it was used as a piscicide, or fish poison, in Virginia. It quickly spread throughout the U.S. and is well established throughout the eastern states. Records show that it was first described in Michigan in 1839 and on the Pacific coast in 1876, probably due to multiple introductions as a medicinal herb.
- "Great Mullein" entry from A Modern Herbal, first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve, contains Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs.
- USDA Plants Profile for Verbascum thapsus L.--common mullein
2 comments:
Although mullein is an exotic invasive plant, it's not badly invasive. It needs full sun and disturbed soil. I see it mostly along railroad tracks and in vacant lots here in Hannibal.
This Eurasian plant is well-established on this continent and it doesn't compete with most native plants. We may as well appreciate it, as it seems to be here to stay! I feel the same way about ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), a mint-family plant with small but beautiful flowers.
Is this the same as "Common Mullein"--I read somewhere that early settlers lined their boots with it--very appropriately.
I've always loved it--even the spiky flowers at the road's edge.
It may not be native, but I always love to find ii--and automatically reach to touch its softness.
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