Verbascum thapsus is a biennial, which means that it lives for two years. The first year it will grow only leaves, and the second year a stalk that produces many yellow flowers. The stalks generally grow 1 - 2 meters high, though some can grow much taller. Mullein is easy to find and in the fall seeds can be collected and spread into gardens or other areas. It is also possible to transplant young plants which tend to grow close to one another. Each part of the plant has unique uses and I hope here to help others see the beauty in a plant that is often overlooked.
The plants for a future database has valuable information on mullein, as does wikipedia. Instead of repeating the information I am going to give the links and encourage everyone to read them and make time to find some mullein plants or pay closer attention to those already growing around you.
Plants For a Future - Verbascum thapsus
Wikipedia - Common mullein
1 comment:
I didn't know you were from Colorado Jason! Thats pretty cool. I went to high school in Englewood.
Owen and I have used Mullein stocks as handrills for starting fire. They burn down faster then some other woods, but aren't hard to use. They definitely work with cottonwood root hearth boards. Ask Owen about other woods too he may know others.
It also makes very nice butt wipes when you have to pop a squat. Well the leaves do, some folks up here in MT call it pioneer's toilet paper.
Hmmm...that ends my experience with Mullein. But it does 'sort' of remind me of bear grass. It must be that thing where it just leaves for the first year and puts up a stalk on the second. I don't have any pictures of bear grass, but it's SOOOO beautiful. And smells really nice too. I don't remember if I ever saw it in colorado. But there is a lot around Glacier National Park and the Mission Mountains in montana.
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