Illinois Exotic Species:
woolly mullein Verbascum thapsus

Woolly mullein is also known as common mullein, beggar's blanket, flannel plant, velvet plant and witch's candle. This biennial plant's first year of growth shows only a basal rosette of fuzzy leaves. The second year has a basal rosette plus leaves on the flowering stalk. Leaves are large, fuzzy and clasp the stem. Yellow flowers develop on a clublike 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.

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. It 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.

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