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Common Name: Hoary Mullein

General Information

Verbascum pulverulentum is a Biennial up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

The leaves contain rotenone and coumarin, though the quantities are not given[]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide and coumarin can prevent the blood from clotting[].
Hairs on the leaves can act as an irritant[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to Spain, Switzerland, Greece.

Habitat

A rare native along roadsides in Norfolk and Suffolk, a rare casual elsewhere[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant (seeds?) are used to rid the body of tapeworms[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].