Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Alternate names
Mullein

Weed Description
A biennial that may reach as much as 7 feet in height with large woolly leaves and a long spike with many showy yellow flowers. Common mullein was brought to America by the Puritans, who used the plant as a medicinal herb. Teas and ointments made from the

Seedlings
Cotyledons are spatula-shaped. First true leaves have many soft hairs and are oval in outline with only slightly wavy margins. Subsequent leaves are also densely hairy and have more wavy margins.

Leaves
Leaves initially develop as a basal rosette during the first year of growth and then occur alternately along the flowering stem during the second year of growth. All leaves are covered in hairs, to the point that leaves are most often described as being 'woolly'. Rosette leaves are oblong in outline, ranging from 6 to18 inches in length. Leaves become progressively smaller up the flowering stem.

Stems
Erect, unbranched, occurring during the second year of growth. Stems may reach as much as 6 feet in height and are also densely hairy.

Flowers
Many flowers occur in a dense spike at the end of the flowering stem. These spikes may reach as much as 20 inches in length. Flowers are yellow in color, approximately 1 inch in diameter, and consist of five petals.

Fruit
An oval capsule, approximately 6 mm in diameter.

Roots
A taproot and a fibrous root system.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Trouble identifying a weed?