country as a troublesome weed in fields and pastures, waste places, 
and along roadsides from Maine to Minnesota and southward, and it is 
also spreading in the far Western States. It produces great quantities 
of seed, and, if allowed to persist, will soon stock the ground with 
seeds which may retain their 
vitality and germinate at inter- 
vals for a number of years. 
Description. Mullein can be 
easily recognized by its tall, 
erect habit of growth, the white- 
woolly or felty appearance of the 
entire plant, and its spike of gold- 
en-yellow flowers. It is a bien- 
nial belonging to the figwort 
family (Scrophulariacez). 
This plant has a stout, straight 
stem, which sometimes grows as 
tallas 7 feet. The stem and also 
the leaves are densely hairy, the 
latter alternate, sessile (stem- 
less), their margins extending in 
wings along down the stem. 
The rather thick, rough leaves 
are from 4 to 12 inches in length, 
oblong, acute, and densely hairy 
above and below. 
In the first year of its growth 
only a rosette of downy leaves is 
produced, but during the second 
year the flower stalk with its 
densely flowered spike appears. 
The golden-yellow flowers are 
produced from June to August. 
Parts used.— As the leaves and 
flowers are to be collected at the 
time when the plant is in bloom, 
the propagation of the plant by 
the dissemination of its seed is 
prevented. The leaves are cured 
in the usual manner. They are 
+ 
Fre. 14.—Mullein ( Verbascum thapeus L.). 
practically inodorous, and have a somewhat bitter, mucilaginous taste. 
It is very desirable to have the flowers retain their bright yellow — 
color; they must therefore be thoroughly dried, andthenkeptfreefrom 
moisture in well-stoppered bottles. They readily absorb moisture and _ 
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