woolly mullein Verbascum thapsus Kingdom: Plantae FEATURES Division: Magnoliophyta Woolly mullein is also known as common mullein, Class: Magnoliopsida beggar’s blanket, flannel plant, velvet plant and Order: Scrophulariales witch’s candle. This biennial plant’s first year of growth shows only a basal rosette of fuzzy leaves. Family: Scrophulariaceae The second year has a basal rosette plus leaves on ILLINOIS STATUS the flowering stalk. Leaves are large, fuzzy and clasp the stem. Yellow flowers develop on a clublike common, nonnative flower stalk. Flowers, about one inch wide, have five yellow petals. Fruits are five-parted, woody capsules. Woolly mullein may attain a height of two to six feet.

BEHAVIORS Woolly mullein may be found throughout Illinois. It grows in field edges, wood edges, prairies and roadsides. Flowers are produced from May through September. Woolly mullein is a native of Europe that was brought to the United States by early European settlers. In ancient Rome, mullein stalks dipped in tallow were used by Roman soldiers as torches. Roman women used the yellow dye in the plant to color their hair.

ILLINOIS RANGE

plant with flowers

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. flowers

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. flowers

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. young plant

Aquatic Habitats none

Woodland Habitats none

Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; edge

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.