Moth mullein is a native of Eurasia introduced to our continent in the early 1800s. The basal leaves of 1st-year plants form a low-growing rosette about 5-10" across. At rest this moth looks like a dead plant stalk. Moth Mullein preferred: UKSI Pannog y Gwyfyn Welsh local: UKSI Gwyfynog Welsh local: UKSI Classification unranked Biota kingdom Plantae phylum Tracheophyta class Magnoliopsida order Lamiales family Scrophulariaceae genus Verbascum species Verbascum blattaria. The central stem is stout, ribbed, and usually glabrous beneath the inflorescence. Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) Description: This herbaceous biennial plant is 1½–3' tall and either unbranched or sparingly branched. After all, it wouldn’t be a good survival strategy for the moth if its caterpillars completely destroyed the plant! blattaria'' has not been attributed to a wide range of uses. Moth Mullein Verbascum blattaria Look for this biennial plant, June through September, in pastures, meadows, and along roadsides. The plant matter is not as sticky as you would think that it would be considering how much "resin" is present. Of 23 plant species in a famous experiment, moth mullein had the highest germination rate of seeds stored in moist sand for 120 years. The photos above show the leaves arranged on the flowering stem in an alternate pattern, without petioles and gently clasping. Joris Hoefnagel (Flemish / Hungarian, 1542 - 1600) Georg Bocskay (Hungarian, died 1575) Leaf: 16.6 × 12.4 cm (6 9/16 × 4 7/8 in.) Facts. Biennial forb; Found in pastures, hay fields, rights-of-way and disturbed sites; Plant Vegetation. Traditional and Modern Uses. Synonyms: moth mullein; Verbascum blattaria. Other uses of the herb: The plant repels insects, it is used indoors to repel moths and cockroaches. Ms. 20 (86.MV.527), fol. Hardiness Zone 5-9. As mentioned, there are many uses for mullein, and it is not only the leaves but also the seeds and flowers that can aid in your herbal healing. C. verbasci favours Mullein, but sometimes will be found eating Buddleia and Figworts. I have used woolly mullein leaf tea for recurring coughs that formerly went into chronic severe bronchitis that lasted for most of the winter. I found the same statement that Odysseus used mullein for protection from Circe in the 1864 translation of Herbarium Apuleii Platonici by Cockayne. Use fresh leaves that have mot overgrown. Both mullein species form a deep tap root. The stem is also extremely short during this first year. Sun/Soil Full sun, well-drained soil. The brightly coloured caterpillars shown below are often found in gardens feeding on Buddleia, Figworts and Mullein. Mullein moth Scientific classification; Kingdom: Animalia: Phylum: Arthropoda: Class: Insecta: Order: Lepidoptera: Superfamily: Noctuoidea: Family: Noctuidae: Genus: Cucullia: Species: C. verbasci. Mullein is an attractive flowering landscape plant with a rich history as an herbal remedy. Mullein oil is extracted from the flower or leaves of the plant. Familiarity information: MOTH MULLEIN used as a noun is very rare. Distributed widely in England, most commonly in the south, and scarcer in Wales, this species is more often found in the caterpillar stage than adults, which however do come to light. Mullein Uses. They chew the leaves and flowers, sometimes stripping plants when infestations are particularly bad. Since I began treating with mullein and other cough-remedy herbs, I have had no long-term coughing, and no deep, burning-in-the-chest bronchitis. ''V. New entry moth mullein - die Schaben-Königskerze, wiss. Common mullein has yellow flowers, so I don't believe that Mercury gave Odysseus common mullein. Individuals can grow to 0.68 m. The white caterpillars are covered in yellow and black markings. Let the water stay for about 10 minutes. It is found in a range of habitats including gardens and waste ground. Biological control methods should be entered into only after full consideration of potential non-target species impacts. It flies in a single generation between May and June when it is attracted to light in small numbers. The tea is known to treat various respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. Rosette measures 16 inches in diameter during this first year with each individual leaf upto 8 inches long. The caterpillars are generally visible from May to July and are usually seen feasting upon mulleins. It has simple, broad leaves. Moth Mullein is a photoautotroph. The weevil larvae feed on the seed in the seed capsule and can destroy up to 50% of the seed. Meaning: European mullein with smooth leaves and large yellow or purplish flowers; naturalized as a weed in North America. 17 more photos VIEW GALLERY. Habit 3-4 feet tall. Its traditional uses generally have focused on the management of respiratory disorders where it was used to treat asthma, coughs, tuberculosis, and related respiratory problems. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Moth mullein definition, a weedy, European mullein, Verbascum blattaria, of the figwort family, having lance-shaped leaves and loose spikes of white or yellow flowers. The species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens. Plant Family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family) Life Cycle Biennial. See more. Identification difficulty. When to see it. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Frequently Asked … Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. paddocks right through the Hawkes Bay and also in the South Island and Verbascum virgatum 'the moth Mullein' are the most common. The plant is self-fertile. Family: Scrophulariaceae (skrof-yoo-larr-ee-AY-see-ee) Genus: Verbascum (ver -BASK-um) Species: blattaria (blat-TAR-ee-uh) Synonym: Thapsus blattaria: Synonym: Verbascum carduifolium: Synonym: Verbascum rhinanthifolium: 9 members have or want this plant for trade. Botanical Name Verbascum blattaria. Rather rare and not persisting, it is possibly an introduced species. It spread rapidly and had become so well established by 1818 that a flora of the East Coast at that time described it as a native. The moth mullein prefers rich soils, but is tolerant of dry, sandy, and even gravelly soils. Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae ) Introduced from Eurasia as an ornamental; Habitat. Uses . : Verbascum blattaria: Examples/ definitions with source references Habitat of Moth Mullein: Waste places in damp ground. Moth mullein rosettes grow to 16 inches in diameter with oblanceolate, bright green leaves that are irregularly-toothed and sparsely hairy to glabrous. Binomial name; Cucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758) Synonyms; Shargacucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758) Description. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. Moth mullein definition is - a European mullein (Verbascum blattaria) that is naturalized as a weed in America and that has smooth leaves and large yellow or purplish flowers. Verbascum blattaria. Open Content images tend to be large in file-size. Mullein oil is used in treating various skin conditions such as eczema. Dictionary entry details • MOTH MULLEIN (noun) Sense 1. Mullein Moth caterpillars are easy to spot on plants because of their vivid colours. 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