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Scrophulariaceae
Moth Mullein
Verbascum blattaria
Modesty and quiet beauty.
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus
- Verbascum
- Native to
- Europe, Western Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- herbaceous
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, average to poor
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 4-8
- Lifespan
- biennial
Did you know
- The species name 'blattaria' means 'moth' in Latin, as the fuzzy stamens were thought to resemble moth antennae.
- Unlike the woolly common mullein, moth mullein has smooth, glossy leaves that form an elegant rosette.
- The purple-bearded stamens are covered in violet hairs that serve as landing pads for pollinating insects.
- It was historically used as an insect repellent; leaves were placed among stored clothing to deter moths.
- Individual flowers last only a single day, opening in the morning and dropping by evening.
Color meanings
0
simplicity
1
understated grace
2
perseverance