Moth Mullein, White Form

Moth Mullein, White Form
Moth Mullein, White Form. Verbascum blatteria.
Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family.

Description:
Plant: Tall, usually upright plant, 2'-4', sparsely hairy, occasionally branching, with long, spike-like raceme of white or yellow flowers. Several stems generally arise from the base. Biennial.
Flowers: White or yellow, 3/4"-5/4" with five rounded petals and five stamens covered with purple hairs. Borne sparsely, on short stems on a long, spike-like raceme.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, to 5", triangular to lanceolate, more or less toothed, sessile and clasping the stem.
Fruit: Nearly spherical capsule, 1/4"-3/8", with terminal spikelet, on medium-length stem.
Blooming: June-September
Habitat: Fields, woodland borders, roadsides.

Comments: This plant occurs in both white and yellow-flowering forms, generally considered the same species. There is a separate page for the yellow form here [[moth mullein yellow]]. The hairy stamens were thought to resemble the antennae of a moth, hence the common name. The flowers appear progressively, a few at a time, each lasting only a day or so. Naturalized from Europe.

Where to find it: Widely scattered in weedy fields in the park.