Species Detail Forb

Wash near Prescott Dump - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Verbascum blattaria - moth mullein Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Scrophulariaceae
Wash near Prescott Dump - Sue Smith


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Leaf Wash near Prescott Dump Sue Smith	Leaves Wash near Prescott Dump Sue Smith	Leaves Wash near Prescott Dump Sue Smith	Plant - summer Wash near Prescott Dump Sue Smith

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Biennial Similar Species: V. virgatum
General Desc: Erect leafy green stems topped by spike of yellow flowers. Obtained common name of moth mullein because hairy stamen filaments resemble a moth's antennae and flattened flowers on stem resemble a resting moth.
Identification notes: Leafy stemmed biennial; plants without hairs or with simple, gland-tipped hairs; flowers in an elongated, terminal seedhead; petals yellow or white with a purple base, flowers 1 per node, parts in 5; flower stems longer than the seed capsules.
Height: To 4 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Fields, roadsides and other disturbed areas.
Plant Communities: Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 5500 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellow Shape: Irregular in elongated clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Aug - Sep
Description: Flowers are yellow but sometimes white with 5 rounded, slightly unequal, flat petals to 1-1/4 inches wide, clustered along slender, erect spike in raceme pattern. Anthers are reddish-orange with purplish hairs on stamen filaments.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Dark green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Toothed Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Basal leaves in a rosette. Leaves are elliptic or oblong to ovate, margins more or less doubly toothed, up to 5 inches long, decreasing in length toward flowers.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Brown
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Fruit is rounded capsule with many seeds.
Seed Notes: Seeds dark gray and very small, less than 1/16 inch.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer