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Verbascum blattaria - L.

Common Name Moth Mullein
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places in damp ground. Rather rare and not persisting, it is possibly an introduced species[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to N. Africa, west and central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Verbascum blattaria Moth Mullein


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Verbascum blattaria Moth Mullein
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Verbascum blattaria is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

The plant repels insects, it is used indoors to repel moths and cockroaches[124]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[187, 200]. Dislikes shade[200]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[200]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu (north)) EUROPE: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica) AFRICA: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Verbascum densiflorumMulleinBiennial1.2 4-8  LMHNDM022
Verbascum lychnitisWhite MulleinBiennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM002
Verbascum nigrumDark Mullein, Black mulleinBiennial/Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHNDM032
Verbascum phlomoidesWooly Mullein, Orange mulleinBiennial/Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHNDM032
Verbascum pulverulentumHoary Mullein, Broad-leaf mulleinBiennial1.8 3-7  LMHNDM012
Verbascum thapsusGreat Mullein, Common mullein, Aaron's Rod, Flannel Plant, Hag Taper, Mullein, Torches, Velvet PlantBiennial1.8 3-8 FLMHNDM134

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Prof. Max Fochtmann   Sat Jun 30 2007

In the Russian traditional medicine the use of Verbascum blattaria is distincly NOT advised, although other species of Verbascum are widely used there.

Ian   Tue Jul 24 2007

There are suggestions that the flowering parts of the plant are sedative.

edot forums Discussion on identification and psychoactive effects of Moth Mullein

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