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verbascum lychnitis - L.

Common Name White Mullein
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places and calcareous banks on dry soils[17, 200].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Belgium south and east to Spain, Greece, Siberia and Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
verbascum lychnitis White Mullein


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verbascum lychnitis White Mullein
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
verbascum lychnitis is a BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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

 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

Flower heads are used as a mouse and rat repellent in fruit stores etc[46, 61]. 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, preferring a sunny position[200]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[200]. Thrives on chalk[200]. Prefers a light soil[200]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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: Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia) EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica) AFRICA: Morocco

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 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

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