White mullein (Verbascum lychnitis, Sp. pl. 1:177. 1753)

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:177. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Verbascum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Morocco, Europe to W. Siberia and C. Asia

Description

White mullein, scientifically known as Verbascum lychnitis, is a fascinating plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. This species, first catalogued by L. in 1753 in the seminal work “Species Plantarum,” exhibits a distinct botanical elegance, making it a notable member of the diverse flora found across various regions.

White mullein is native to a broad geographical range, encompassing Morocco, Europe extending to Western Siberia, and Central Asia. This wide distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to different climatic conditions and various types of habitats. Typically found in open and sunny locations, Verbascum lychnitis thrives in well-drained soils, often gracing the landscapes with its towering presence.

The plant is easily recognizable by its tall, stately flower spikes, which can reach impressive heights, adorned with numerous small, white flowers. These striking floral displays not only contribute to the aesthetic qualities of gardens and natural settings but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

In addition to its ornamental appeal, white mullein has been studied for its potential medicinal properties. Historically, plants in the Verbascum genus have been utilized in traditional herbal remedies, and Verbascum lychnitis is no exception. Extracts from this plant have been investigated for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, holding promise for future applications in natural medicine.

Despite its benefits and beauty, white mullein can be somewhat demanding in terms of maintenance when cultivated in garden settings. It requires adequate sunlight and prefers less competition from surrounding plants to flourish fully. Nevertheless, with proper care, it can serve as a majestic focal point in botanical collections or naturalistic plantings.

Overall, Verbascum lychnitis is a plant of both aesthetic and botanical significance, drawing the interest of horticulturists, herbalists, and plant enthusiasts alike. Its enduring presence from the historical documentation in 1753 to its current status in diverse regions underscores its resilience and enduring appeal.

Common Names

Dan: bleg kongelys
Deu: mehlige königskerze
Eng: white mullein
Swe: grenigt kungsljus, käentulikukka, grenkungsljus
Fin: käentulikukka
Nld: melige toorts
Nob: melkongslys
Lav: miltainais deviņvīruspēks
Nno: mjølkongslys
Fra: molène lychnite, bouillon femelle
Est: pööris-vägihein
Lit: šakotoji tūbė
Cym: hanner pan, pannog gwyn, pannog gwyn gwryw, pannog wen
En: White mullein
Ar: بوصير لزج
Be: Дзіванна мяцёлчатая
Ca: Blenera, Candelera, Crestes de gall, Croca, Gamó, Jovenal, Sntjoans, Torpa, Trepó candeler
Cs: Divizna knotovitá
Da: Bleg kongelys
Nl: Melige toorts, Witte toorts
Et: Pööris-vägihein
Fi: Käentulikukka
Fr: Molene lychnite, Molène lychnite, Molène lychnitis, Bouillon femelle, Molène lychnide
De: Heide-Königskerze, Heidefackel-Königskerze, Mehlige Königskerze, Kerzenwollkraut, Kleines Wollkraut, Lampen-Wollkraut
It: Verbasco licnite
Lv: Miltainais deviņvīruspēks
Lt: Šakotoji tūbė
Nb: Melkongslys
Nn: Mjølkongslys
Os: Тæрхъуссыф
Pl: Dziewanna firletkowa
Ru: Коровяк метельчатый, Коровяк мучнистый
Sk: Divozel kukučkovitý
Es: Candelera, Candileja, Candilera, Candilero, Chapezu, Chopo blanco, Gordolobo blanco, Gordolobo candilero, Gordolobo hembra, Gordolobo, Rabasca olorosa, Varbasco, Verbasco, Verdelobo, Yerba de las torcidas
Sv: Grenigt kungsljus, Käentulikukka, Grenkungsljus
Cy: Pannog wen, Hanner Pan, Pannog Gwyn, Pannog Gwyn Gwryw

Synonyms

• Verbascum lychnitis var. foliosum (Vayr.)
• Verbascum lychnitis var. longebracteatum (Rouy)
• Verbascum lychnitis subvar. albiflorum (Rouy)
• Verbascum lychnitis var. luteum (Hartm.)
• Thapsus lychnitis ((L.) Raf.)
• Verbascum lychnitis subvar. aureiflorum (Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2018 by Noël Ducrot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2018 by mdiest (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Błażej Nowak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 19, 2020 by Sinan Avcı (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2015 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by B V (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Agnieszka Kubit (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by simonetta simonetta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by laure munoz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 28, 2018 by Sheppard Wolf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2019 by charlotte lambert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Cano Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Paul CANDLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2021 by Apolline Leclerc (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:769963-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171947)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Verbascum lychnitis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6