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The Great Mullein begins as a rosette of fuzzy leaves low to the ground. In it’s second year it sends up a bloom stalk, dragging leaves upward along with it, that can reach over six feet high. The yellow flowers bloom along the top half of the stem. This plant like disturbed areas with a lot of sunlight, and you can see them happily growing in colonies along roadsides. They survive because of the large number of seeds produced, but the specific needs of this mullein make it unlikely to take over and become invasive.
They have a number of other names like Pilgrim’s Flannel or Pigs Ears. It’s seductive to stroke the beautiful gray/green leaves, they are so soft and fuzzy:>)!
This picture was taken May 24, 2012, at the Nature Center in Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Learn more about Verbascum thapsus at:
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plant...
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum_thapsus
The flowers look like this
I love nature, science, poetry, prose, art, music – you name it! Now that I’m retired, time is mine to spend as I wish (pretty much), and I wish to take pictures of our natural world.
Bringing the outdoors in for others to see, especially those who may not get the opportunity to wander next to a pond, fish at the beach, or tramp in the woods, is a pleasure. I hope to build a window to the wonders of nature that fill our everyday lives.
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Comments
Beautiful image. and thanks for the history.
Thanks for the wonderful comment and the fave, Sandra:>)
– MotherNature
Thanks a bunch! This is a wonderful bit of weekend news:>)
– MotherNature
Wow, well done!
You’re so kind – thanks! I really appreciate the fave, too:>)
– MotherNature
19 June 2012
Thank you so much!!!! I’m thrilled to have this image featured in GOING GREEN!
– MotherNature