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Verbascum densiflorum - Bertol.

Common Name Mullein
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places, railway embankments and similar dry sunny localities[9].
Range C. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Verbascum densiflorum Mullein


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Magnus_Manske
Verbascum densiflorum Mullein
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Verbascum_densiflorum_Sturm18.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Verbascum densiflorum is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

V. thapsiforme. Schrader.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Antirheumatic  Antiseptic  Astringent  Demulcent  Diuretic  Emollient  Expectorant  
Pectoral  Vulnerary

The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[4, 9, 13, 21, 46, 53, 165, 238]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[9, 238]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[238]. The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[9, 238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, preferring a sunny position[200]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[200]. Thrives on chalk[200]. Prefers a light soil[200]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. This species is closely related to V. phlomoides[200]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[200]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Verbascum blattariaMoth MulleinBiennial/Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM002
Verbascum lychnitisWhite MulleinBiennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM002
Verbascum nigrumDark Mullein, Black mulleinBiennial/Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHNDM032
Verbascum phlomoidesWooly Mullein, Orange mulleinBiennial/Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHNDM032
Verbascum pulverulentumHoary Mullein, Broad-leaf mulleinBiennial1.8 3-7  LMHNDM012
Verbascum thapsusGreat Mullein, Common mullein, Aaron's Rod, Flannel Plant, Hag Taper, Mullein, Torches, Velvet PlantBiennial1.8 3-8 FLMHNDM134

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Bertol.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

hawthornewitch   Fri Nov 11 2005

i used an ifusion of the leaves of mullein with a little honey to treat kennel cough for my dog jasper it seemed to work very well and eased a lot of the symptoms. I grow it in my herb garden and it makes a great cover plant.

shamanofthemicrocosm   Thu Dec 15 2005

although the decoction recipe changes each time I make it, Mullein is a consistent ingredient in a cough medicine I make for myself and friends at college, in a communal living situation, where there is almost no choice but to share our bugs with each other. I've managed to consistently avoid serious bronchial infection using it 'cause of the antiseptic qualities, and beat a case of strep throat I had where my test results were mishandled by our school's health services and returned late. Plus, mullein oil is far more pleasant to the ear canal than vinegar or alcohol when it comes to treating ear infections, and totally effective for the necessary shift in pH that allows your ear to fight back proper.

Indiana Uplander   Tue Jul 11 2006

Other Uses: Toilet paper....Growing up in the hills of the southern Indiana uplands, we learned at an early age that the best field expedient toilet paper was the mullein plant or as it was more appreciatively referred to........."Hunter's Delight!".

Alan Balchin   Mon Aug 18 2008

A selfset plant grew from the base of our plum tree & reached a height of 244cms (8ft) Could this be a normal height?

Darren Frohawk   Mon Jul 13 2009

Darren, Norfolk. 13-07-2009 I have regularly seen this plant in UK from between 6 to 8 feet high where conditions apply but have also seen in wales fully grown in a wall at a hight of 8 inches

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Subject : Verbascum densiflorum  
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