Practical
Plants

Verbascum pulverulentum

Hoary Mullein

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The leaves contain rotenone and coumarin, though the quantities are not given[3]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide and coumarin can prevent the blood from clotting[K]. Hairs on the leaves can act as an irritant[3].

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.

The plant (seeds?) are used to rid the body of tapeworms[4].

Product or use
Vermifuge

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to Spain, Switzerland, Greece.
Habitat
A rare native along roadsides in Norfolk and Suffolk, a rare casual elsewhere[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[2]. 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[2].

Cultivation

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[2]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[2]. Thrives on chalk[2]. Prefers a light soil[2]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[2].

References

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

    ↩

  2. 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

  3. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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