Verbascum (Mulleins)

Verbascum (Mulleins) - a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region.

They are biennial or perennial plants, rarely annuals or subshrubs, growing to 0.5-3 m tall. The plants first form a dense rosette of leaves at ground level, subsequently sending up a tall flowering stem. The leaves are spirally arranged, often densely hairy, though glabrous (hairless) in some species. The flowers have five symmetrical petals; petal colours in different species include yellow (most common), orange, red-brown, purple, blue or white. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous minute seeds.


Toxicity
The entire plant contains coumarin and rotenone, with the highest concentrations of these compounds present in the plants seeds. The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, and is an effective treatment for asthma and respiratory disorders. Extracts made from the plants flowers are a very effective treatment for ear infections. Although this plant is a recent arrival to North America, Native Americans used the ground seeds of this plant as a paralytic fish poison due to their high levels of rotenone. The seeds of this plant should not be consumed and can cause internal hemmoraging if ingested. The high coumarin content of the seeds makes the plant an effective blood thinner. Coumarin is the primary ingredient used in rat poisons. Ingestion of rotenone has been linked as a causative agent of Parkinson's disease.


Some species
Verbascum blattaria (moth mullein) is a plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. Verbascum blattaria is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on stiffly erect, green stems. The flowers are yellow or pink, borne in summer through fall.

Verbascum nigrum L. (Dark Mullein) is a species of biennial or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants in the genus Verbascum (mullein), native to dry open sites in Europe and the Mediterranean region. It grows to 0.5-1.5 m.

Verbascum thapsus (Great or Common Mullein) is a species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia. It is a hairy biennial plant that can grow to 2 m or more tall. Its small yellow flowers are densely grouped on the tall stem, which bolts from a large rosette of leaves. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, but prefers well-lit disturbed soils, where it can appear soon after the ground receives light, from long-lived seeds that persist in the soil seed bank. It is a common weedy plant that spreads by prolifically producing seeds, but rarely becomes aggressively invasive since its seed require open ground to germinate. It is a very minor problem for most agricultural crops since it is not a very competitive species, being intolerant of shade from other plants and unable to survive tilling. It also hosts many insects, some of which can be harmful to other plants. Although individuals are easy to remove by hand, populations are difficult to eliminate permanently.
It is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient and astringent properties. It is especially recommended for coughs and related problems, but also used in topical applications against a variety of skin problems. The plant was also used to make dyes and torches.

Verbascum phlomoides

Verbascum pseudonobile

Verbascum macrurum

Verbascum pulverulentum  - Hoary mullein

Verbascum leianthum

Verbascum leucophylum

Verbascum purpureum

Verbascum scardicola

Verbascum lychnitis - White mullein

Verbascum macedonicum

Verbascum phoeniceum - Purple mullein

Verbascum pycnostachyum

Verbascum pyramidatum

Verbascum reiseri

Verbascum levanticum

Verbascum siculum

Verbascum sinuatum - Wavyleaf mullein

Verbascum malophorum

Verbascum roripifolium

Verbascum rotundifolium

Verbascum rupestre

Verbascum samniticum

Verbascum litigiosum

Verbascum longifolium

Verbascum pinnatifidum

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