MULLEIN.
Verbascum thapsus L.
Other common names.—Great mullein, velvet or mullein dock, Aaron’s rod, Adam’s flannel, blanket leaf, bullock’s lungwort, cow’s or clown’s lungwort, candlewick, feltwort, flannel leaf, old-man’s flannel, hare’s beard, hedge taper, ice leaf, Jacob’s staff, Jupiter’s staff, lady’s foxglove, Peter’s staff, shepherd’s club, torches, torchwort, velvet plant. (Fig. 14.)
Range and habitat.—Mullein is a native of Europe, and occurs in this country as a troublesome weed in fields and pastures, waste places, and along roadsides from Maine to Minnesota and southward, and it is also spreading in the far Western States. It produces great quantities of seed, and, if allowed to persist, will soon stock the ground with seeds which may retain their vitality and germinate at intervals for a number of years.
Fig. 14.—Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.).
Description.—Mullein can be easily recognized by its tall, erect habit of growth, the white-woolly or felty appearance of the entire plant, and its spike of golden-yellow flowers. It is a biennial belonging to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceæ).
This plant has a stout, straight stem, which sometimes grows as tall as 7 feet. The stem and also the leaves are densely hairy, the latter alternate, sessile (stemless), their margins extending in wings along down the stem. The rather thick, rough leaves are from 4 to 12 inches in length, oblong, acute, and densely hairy above and below.
In the first year of its growth only a rosette of downy leaves is produced, but during the second year the flower stalk with its densely flowered spike appears. The golden-yellow flowers are produced from June to August.
Parts used.—As the leaves and flowers are to be collected at the time when the plant is in bloom, the propagation of the plant by the dissemination of its seed is prevented. The leaves are cured in the usual manner. They are practically inodorous, and have a somewhat bitter, mucilaginous taste.
It is very desirable to have the flowers retain their bright yellow color: they must therefore be thoroughly dried, and then kept free from moisture in well-stoppered bottles. They readily absorb moisture and if allowed to become damp will turn black. The corolla (petals), with the adhering stamens only, is dried, the calyx being rejected. Mullein flowers have a sweetish, pleasant odor.
Mullein is used in coughs and catarrh, to quiet nervous irritation, and to relieve pain and inflammation. According to some authors the dried leaves are often smoked like tobacco to relieve nasal catarrh and throat affections.
Imports and prices.—About 5,000 pounds of verbascum or mullein flowers are annually imported, chiefly from Germany, in which country this plant is cultivated. The leaves are also imported to a small extent.
The price paid for the leaves ranges from 2½ to 5 cents per pound, and that for the flowers may range from 25 to 75 cents per pound.