Common Mullein

Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Information Sheet (PDF)

Colorado List C – Control recommended

General

• Biennial
• Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort)
• Introduced from Europe

Common names

• Wooly Mullein

Habitat

• Found in rangeland, pastures, open areas, disturbed sites and roadsides

Plant

Vegetation

• Leaves get smaller as they grow up the flower stalk
• Leaves oblong, blue-green, hairy, up to 5 inches wide and 12 inches long
• Mature plants grow up to 8 feet tall

Roots

• Tap root and fibrous secondary roots

Flower

• Color: yellow
• Season: June to September
• Size: about 1 inch wide; tightly grouped flowers at the end of a stalk up to 6 feet tall

Seed

• Seeds last up to 100 years in the soil
• Up to 180,000 seeds per plant

Seedling

• Rosette

Reproduction

• Seed

Control

Biological

• Gymnetron tetrum, seed weevil

Chemical

• View Information Sheet (PDF)

Cultural

• Prevention – maintain health of site
• Removal – flower and seed stalks should be bagged and disposed
• Re-vegetation of highly disturbed sites

Mechanical

• Burning - Not recommended; fire encourages plants to germinate
• Grazing - Not recommended; most animals will not feed on the plant
• Mowing - Not recommended; plants will regrow multiple stems and set seed

Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.