 |
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Comments: "Naturalized from Europe, this biennial with very velvety leaves has long been used for many purposes. Roman soldiers purportedly dipped the flower spikes in grease for use as torches, and the leaves are still sometimes used as wicks. Native Americans lined their moccasins with the leaves to keep out the cold, and colonists used them in their stockings for the same purpose. A tea made from the leaves was used to treat colds, and the flowers and roots were employed to treat various ailments from earache to croup. The leaves are sometimes applied to the skin to soothe sunburn and other inflamations." Flowers June to September in fields and at roadsides. (NAS Field Guide to Wildflowers). Growing from a stone wall of the C&O Canal at North Branch, Allegany Co., Maryland (7/31/2005).