Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Common Mullein is a biennial herbaceous plant that forms a basal rosette of leaves in its first year and a flowering stalk up to two meters tall in its second year. The entire plant is covered with dense, white-woolly hairs that serve as protection against evaporation. Its yellow flowers are arranged in a dense, spike-like inflorescence. It is a typical pioneer plant on sunny, dry, and stony soils.
Details
Habitat function
The pithy, dead stems serve as nesting sites and overwintering quarters for solitary wild bees.
Nutrient uptake
Efficient uptake of nitrogen from deep soil layers via a taproot.
Food source for
Bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies, and specialized butterfly caterpillars.
Human use
Traditional medicinal plant for respiratory ailments; historical use of dry stems as torches or wicks.
Ecology
Ecological role
Pioneer colonizer of disturbed sites; provides important food resources for pollinators and is a host plant for specialized insects.
Natural predators
Caterpillars of the Mullein moth (Shargacucullia verbasci) and various weevil species.
Competitor species
Other light-demanding ruderal plants such as Viper's Bugloss or Chicory.
Ecosystem service
Food source for wild bees and hoverflies; erosion protection on raw soils.
Threats
Loss of open soil sites due to natural succession or soil sealing.
Scientific profile
Profile
Reproduction
Exclusively generative via seeds; a single vigorous plant can produce between 100,000 and 180,000 seeds.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Currently not threatened in Central Europe. Local declines due to the paving of roadsides and the intensive use of fallow land.