Weed of the Week 

Common Mullein Verbascum thapsus L. 

Common Names: big taper, common mullein, flannel mullein, flannel plant, great 

mullein, mullein, velvet dock, velvet plant, woolly mullein

Native Origin: Asia and Europe 

Description: An erect biannual herb in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) 

growing 5 to 10 feet in height. In the first year it produces a low vegetative rosette 

up to 24 inches in diameter, remains thought the winter, then produces a stout 

flowering stem in the succeeding growing season. The stem is densely woolly with 

branched hairs. Leaves are alternate, oblong-obovate to obovate-lanceolate, bluegrey green, woolly and 4-16 inches long including the petiole. Leaves become 

progressively smaller up the flowering stem. Flowers are sessile (attached to stem), borne in long terminal 

spikes, bright yellow, 5 fused petals, and 1 inch in diameter. Plants die after flowering. Fruits are wooly oval 

capsules that split open when mature releasing 100,000 to 180,000 seeds from the parent plant. Seeds are 

dispersed by wind and animals, and may remain viable in the soil for over 100 years. It reproduces solely by 

seed. The root system is comprised of a deep taproot and fibrous roots. 

Habitat: Common mullein occurs in areas with an average annual 

precipitation of 20-60 inches and a 140-day growing season. It is usually 

abundant on well-drained soils with pH 6.5 to 7.8. It prefers dry sandy soils 

but can grow in chalk and limestone. It can be found in neglected meadows, 

forest openings, pastures, fence rows, roadsides, and industrial areas. 

Distribution: This species is reported from states shaded on Plants 

Database map. It is reported invasive in AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IL, MO, NJ, 

NV, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY. 

Ecological Impacts: Once established it grows quickly to form a dense ground cover. It can overtake and 

displace native species. At the high densities, it appears to prevent establishment of native herbs and grasses 

following fires or other disturbances. 

Control and Management: 

• Manual- Hand pull before seed set, bag and dispose of plants to prevent spread 

• Chemical- It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available 

general use herbicides such as glyphosate or triclopyr. For some sites, applications 

can be made during the early spring when most other non-target vegetation is 

dormant. Follow label and state requirements. 

• Biological control- Two insects that have possible biological control implications 

for common mullein are European curculionid weevil (Gymnaetron tetrum) and 

mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci). 

References: www.forestimages.org, http://plants.usda.gov, www.nps.gov/plants/alien/list/a.htm, 

www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/veth1.htm, www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/vesth.htm 

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/verbtha.html. 

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/SoilCrop/extension/CEPEP/profiles/common%20mullein.pdf

http://akweeds.uaa.alaska.edu/pdfs/species_bios_pdfs/Species_bios_VETH.pdf 

Produced by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA. WOW 09-11-06 

Invasive Plants website: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants