Practical
Plants

Verbascum phlomoides

Wooly Mullein

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1.2 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 seed is used to expel tapeworms from the body[6]. No other details are given, but the seeds probably contain saponins and so should be used with caution[K]. The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, pectoral and vulnerary[4][5]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[5]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[5]. The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[5].

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

Material uses

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

The whole plant is used to repel mice and rats[7][8].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
S. Europe. Rarely naturalized in Britain[2].
Habitat
Dry sandy or stony ground[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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[3]. 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[3].

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, and prefers a sunny position[3]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[3]. Thrives on chalk[3]. Prefers a light soil[3]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[3]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[3]. Plants can perennate when growing in light well-drained soils[1].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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