Common Mullein, Great Mullein, Velvet Plant, Cowboy Toilet Paper
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Angiosperms, Class: Eudicots, Order: Lamiales, Family: Scrophulariaceae, Genus: Verbascum, Species: V. thapsus · Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family) · Simple, deciduous (biennial lifecycle)
Species
Verbascum thapsus
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous (biennial lifecycle)
Family
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)
Shape
Ovate to oblanceolate; upper leaves are decurrent (base extends down the stem)
Size
Current leaf approximately 4-6 inches; basal leaves can reach up to 12 inches long and 5 inches wide.
Margin
Entire to shallowly crenate (slightly wavy or rounded teeth)
Arrangement
Alternate; arranged in a dense basal rosette in the first year and spiral on a tall stalk in the second year.
Rarity
Very Common; frequently found in disturbed areas and along highways.
Color & Pattern
Pale silvery-green to grayish-green; this specimen shows green with white stippling/spotting likely due to insect damage or powdery mildew.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate with a prominent midrib; secondary veins create a rugose, net-like appearance on the surface.
Texture & Surface
Densely pubescent; covered in thick, felt-like branched hairs (tomentose) giving it a soft, woolly, or velvety feel.
Description
A hardy biennial that spends its first year as a low-growing velvety rosette. In its second year, it sends up a dramatic, woolly flower spike that can reach 6-8 feet tall, topped with small yellow five-petaled flowers.
Key Features
Soft, thick felt-like leaves; decurrent leaf bases that wing the stem; tall, unbranched flower spike; silvery-green coloration.
Habitat
Disturbed soils, roadsides, pastures, meadows, and vacant lots; thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soil.
Geographic Range
Native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia; widely naturalized and often considered invasive in North America and Australia.
Condition Notes
Fair. The leaf shows significant chlorotic spotting and stippling, likely caused by spider mites, lace bugs, or the early stages of a fungal infection.
Interesting Facts
The dried stalks were once dipped in tallow and used as torches (Hag's Taper). The soft leaves have earned the nickname 'Cowboy Toilet Paper' for their texture in the wild.
Medicinal & Uses
Used traditionally for respiratory ailments (teas/smoking for asthma). Leaves contain mucilage which is soothing for skin. Used in landscaping as a vertical accent. Note: Seeds contain rotenone and were used to stun fish.
Ecological Role
Colonizer of bare soil; provides nectar for bees and hoverflies. Birds like goldfinches eat the tiny seeds during winter months.
Similar Species
Verbascum lychnitis (White Mullein) has smaller leaves; Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) leaves are less woolly and lack decurrent bases.
Foraging Tips
Look for the distinctive silvery rosette on dry, sunny banks in early spring. Avoid collecting from roadsides due to heavy metal accumulation.
Toxicity Warning
Generally non-toxic, but the hairs can cause skin irritation or respiratory discomfort in sensitive individuals. Seeds are mildly toxic to fish/mammals if ingested in large quantities.