CITY AND COUNTY OF BROOMFIELD PARK OPERATIONS
NOXIOUS WEED IDENTIFICATION
COMMON MULLEIN, Verbascum thapus, L.
Characteristics:
Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort)
Origin: Came to the U.S. from Europe but is native to Asia
Description:
- Biennial
- Forms a rosette in the first season of growth
- Bolts, flowers, and sets seed in the second year of growth
- Reproduces only by seed
Stems:
- Single stemmed, erect and thick
- Grows up to 6 feet tall
Flowers:
- Bright yellow colored flowers without stems, emerge from multiple long terminal spikes
- 1 inch or more in diameter, having 5 lobes
- Bloom occurs June-August
- Brownish seeds are 1/32 inch, each plant producing large quantities of seed which remain viable for 120 years!
Leaves:
- Leaves are large and broad, alternate, overlapping and fuzzy
- Color is olive or light green
Location:
Common Mullein is often found in pasture and rangeland, and along roadways. Livestock find this weed unpalatable. It is difficult to control with herbicides, as hairs on leaf surfaces prevent absorption of the chemical