Verbascum phlomoides
| Verbascum phlomoides | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 4' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Verbascum phlomoides (common name: wooly 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: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[1]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[1]. Thrives on chalk[1]. Prefers a light soil[1].
This species is hardy to at least -15°c[1].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[1].
Plants can perennate when growing in light well-drained soils[2].
Range: S. Europe. Rarely naturalized in Britain[3].
Habitat: Dry sandy or stony ground[3].
Medicinal: The seed is used to expel tapeworms from the body[4]. No other details are given, but the seeds probably contain saponins and so should be used with caution[K].
The flowers and leaves are anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, pectoral and vulnerary[5][6]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations[6].
An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils etc[6].
The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities[6].
Usage: The whole plant is used to repel mice and rats[7][8].
Pollinators: Insects, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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.
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.