Common Mullein
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| ?Common Mullein Conservation status: Secure |
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| Verbascum thapsus L. |
The Common Mullein or Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) is a dicotyledonous biennial native to Europe and Asia. Other common names are Woolly Mullein, Flannel Mullein, Shepherd's Club, and Aaron's Rod.
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[edit] Plant characteristics
In its first year, it produces a rosette of large, softly hairy grey-green leaves 10-50 cm long. The outer leaves are supine and, working inwards, the leaves become more and more vertical. In the spring of the second year, the strong flowering stem, 2-3 cm thick, is produced from the center and can reach heights of 1.5-2 m. The stem leaves are alternate, clasping a long part of the stem. The stem ends in a dense spike composed of yellow flowers 1.5-3.5 cm wide, opening from bottom to top. The fruit is a dry capsule, containing numerous small seeds.
The flowers are visited by Megachilid bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees for their copious yellow pollen.
The seeds are consumed by some birds (such as the Goldfinch) and the leaves by various insects. It host mildews, the cucumber mosaic virus and the tarnished plant bug.
[edit] Distribution, cultivation and uses
An old French expression "to plant mulleins" meant "to work for nothing". The plant has nonetheless been cultivated worldwide for its medicinal properties. The flower provides green and brown tints, the latter of which was used by Romans for their hair. The fuzz on the leaves was woven into candle wicks.
However, the most widespread beliefs about common mullein is that burning it protected against evil spirits and demons. This belief was widespread across western Christianity and mullein was burnt during celebrations on the second Sunday of Lent in France ("Dimanche des brandons").
It is an introduced naturalized species in North America (17th century), Australia, Chile, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It is not normally considered an invasive species, because its biennial cycle and easy direct removal (unlike Dandelions, it cannot regrow from its root) makes removal easy. It has the status of noxious weed in the states of Colorado and Hawaii, and the state of Victoria, Australia.
[edit] Medicinal use
Mulleins and comfrey are among the oldest known medicinal plants. Flowers and leaves from the common mullein are used for their strong mucilaginous (sticky and viscous) content against all forms of throat and lung irritation. Mullein is traditionally used in herbal medicine to create pain killing and sleep inducing herbal remedies[1]. To avoid further irritation caused by the hairs, it is strongly recommended to finely filter the beverage before taking it. Leaves can also be used topically on dry skin. An oil made from mullien flowers is used for earache, frostbite and bruises.
The seeds contain rotenone, a saponin that impedes cellular respiration.
[edit] External links
- Common Mullein in the Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
- Mullein at botanical.com
