Practical
Plants

Verbascum densiflorum

Mullein

a biennial member of the Verbascum genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[8][11][1][6][9][10][2][7]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[11][7]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[7]. The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[11][7].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Vulnerary

Environment

Range
C. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[3].
Habitat
Waste places, railway embankments and similar dry sunny localities[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[5]. 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[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, preferring a sunny position[5]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[5]. Thrives on chalk[5]. Prefers a light soil[5]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. This species is closely related to V. phlomoides[5]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[5].

References

  1. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  10. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

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  11. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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