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Common Name: Wooly Mullein

General Information

Verbascum phlomoides is a Biennial/Perennial up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe. Rarely naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Dry sandy or stony ground[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[]. Thrives on chalk[]. Prefers a light soil[].
This species is hardy to at least -15°c[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[].
Plants can perennate when growing in light well-drained soils[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The seed is used to expel tapeworms from the body[]. No other details are given, but the seeds probably contain saponins and so should be used with caution[].
The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, pectoral and vulnerary[, ]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[].
An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[].
The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[].

Other Uses

The whole plant is used to repel mice and rats[, ].

Propagation

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