Verbascum densiflorum
| Verbascum densiflorum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Verbascum densiflorum (common name: mullein)
Propagation: Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[1]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, preferring a sunny position[1]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[1]. Thrives on chalk[1]. Prefers a light soil[1].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2].
This species is closely related to V. phlomoides[1]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[1].
Range: C. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[3].
Habitat: Waste places, railway embankments and similar dry sunny localities[4].
Medicinal: The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[5][4][6][7][8][9][10][11]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[4][11].
An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[11].
The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[4][11].
Pollinators: Insects, self
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: V. thapsiforme. Schrader.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.