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Verbascum nigrum - L.

Common Name Dark Mullein, Black mullein
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waysides and open habitats on banks etc, usually on dry calcareous soils[17, 200].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, Macedonia, Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Verbascum nigrum Dark Mullein, Black mullein


© Andrew Dunn
Verbascum nigrum Dark Mullein, Black mullein
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Verbascum_nigrum00.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Verbascum nigrum is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. 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 Flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). 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 and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Hedgerow; 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.
Anodyne  Antiseptic  Demulcent  Diuretic  Expectorant  Pectoral

The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, pectoral and vulnerary[21, 238]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[238]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[238]. The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, preferring a sunny position[111, 200]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[124, 200]. Plants only really thrive when they are grown on chalky soils[200]. Prefers a light soil[200]. This species is fairly reliably perennial[200], but only when grown on light or medium soils[111]. A very ornamental plant, it often self-sows[1, 111]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[200]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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]. Division in spring. This plant is a short-lived perennial that grows away very well from seed, so we do not try and divide it.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (west)) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France

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 blattariaMoth MulleinBiennial/Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM002
Verbascum densiflorumMulleinBiennial1.2 4-8  LMHNDM022
Verbascum lychnitisWhite MulleinBiennial1.0 5-9  LMHNDM002
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

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