Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus is a biennial plant with large, fuzzy leaves. In its first year, Mullein doesn’t get much bigger than the picture seen below. In the second year, it shoots up a giant spike full of yellow, edible flowers. The leaves are dried and made into tea or tinctures, which is something I’m sure to keep on hand every winter.
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Naturalized in most of the US, Mullein thrives in poor soils that are undesirable to our native plant species. Mullein increases pollinator density, and provides a rich food source for many of our birds, including bluebirds, tanagers and chickadees.
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Great Mullein towers above most plants with a long, thick stalk full of yellow flowers. In the language of flowers, Mullein represents good nature. It creates a grounded atmosphere for listening to one’s intuition.
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