Posted by
plantmanager (New Mexico - Zone 8a) on Jul 9, 2016 10:28 PM concerning plant:
When we first moved to our new property I didn't see any Mullein. The next year there were cute little felted rosettes around everywhere, and I didn't worry about them. The following year, the seed stalks came up, and were sculptural and interesting, so I didn't cut them down. Big mistake! From then on I had baby Mullein plants coming up everywhere all over our 10 acres. I now cut the stalks down before they can set their seed, but it's too late. This is one highly invasive plant!
Posted by
Bonehead (Planet Earth - Zone 8b) on Sep 25, 2015 8:54 AM concerning plant:
An introduced invasive from Eurasia, now widely distributed throughout North America. Found on roadsides, fields, and dry open waste places. In Washington, these are found more easily on the drier east side of the Cascades. The large softly felted leaves can be used as insoles for sore hikers.
Posted by
wildflowers (North East Texas - Zone 7b) on Feb 5, 2015 10:45 AM concerning plant:
V. thapsus grows wild throughout much of Texas and the South. The biennial plants form a rosette of large velvety leaves the first year and the flower stalks emerge the second year, growing up to 6 feet tall. Mullein tea has traditionally been used as a treatment for upper respiratory problems.
Posted by
lauribob (N Central Wash. - the dry side - Zone 5b) on Jun 5, 2015 1:16 PM concerning plant:
This is considered a noxious weed in my county and grows all over the place. Some of the 6-foot-plus plants can take on interesting shapes with distorted forms. My father-in-law used to wad up handfuls of the leaves; burn them, and let them smolder in a coffee can he called a smudge pot to keep the mosquitoes at bay. My sister likes to dig a few up and take them home every year. I say take all you want, but I don't hate them as some folks do.
Posted by
Sharon (Calvert City, KY - Zone 7a) on Aug 25, 2014 11:19 PM concerning plant:
Mullein has been used for many things throughout history. The stem, stripped of leaves and flowers and dipped in tallow, was used as a torch, and parts of it have been used medicinally. There are large concentrations of mucilage in mullein, making it a substance that soothes mucus membranes. It continues to be used by some herbalists in the treatment of some respiratory ailments. Tea from the leaf or flowers also has been used as an anti-inflammatory.
Posted by
Vals_Garden (Ontario, Canada - Zone 4b) on May 7, 2021 8:27 AM concerning plant:
Indeed this can be a noxious weed, and we remove any plants we see in the pastures. However, as I grew Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polar Summer' at least 15 years ago I have been seeing various interesting crosses around the garden perimeter. I usually select the one/s with the best foliage and either move them to a 'safe' place in the garden or enjoy them where they are. Last year's seedling that I moved is looking to be a nice one.
