Practical
Plants

Verbascum nigrum

Dark Mullein

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Lepidoptera, 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, pectoral and vulnerary[6][7]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[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[7].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Pectoral

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, Macedonia, Caucasus.
Habitat
Waysides and open habitats on banks etc, usually on dry calcareous soils[4][5].
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]. Division in spring. This plant is a short-lived perennial that grows away very well from seed, so we do not try and divide it.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, preferring a sunny position[2][5]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[3][5]. Plants only really thrive when they are grown on chalky soils[5]. Prefers a light soil[5]. This species is fairly reliably perennial[5], but only when grown on light or medium soils[2]. A very ornamental plant, it often self-sows[1][2]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00

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

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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↩9

  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

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