Ontario Wildflowers website

Moth Mullein
Verbascum blattaria

Family: Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)

Group: Mulleins

Distinctive features: Individual flowers up a tall stalk, each flower on its own tiny stalk.

Similar species:
  •   Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum)

  •   Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)


Flowers: Summer;  White, Yellow;  5 parts (petals)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas;  Open areas, fields.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 206    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 58, 106, 142    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 382   

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Status: Uncommon.

Photographs: 92 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Moth Mullein flowers are relatively large compared to the other Mulleins. They are also arranged singly up the main stalk, and each flower is on its own little stalk.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Close-up of a flower. The flowers are usually white, unlike those of Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) & Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum). However, they can be yellow.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Another view of the flower.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Sometimes the petals are a bit curled in, thus resembling those of Common Mullein & Dark Mullein.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Unopened flower buds. Note the flower stalks.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Closer view of flower buds.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

There are often only a few flowers open on one plant at a time.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Moth Mullein leaves are shiny & smooth, shallowly toothed, and stand out from the stem as shown here.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

The top part of a Moth Mullein plant, before flowering time.


Range map for Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)