Common Mullein is a European biennial with large, soft, woolly leaves and a tall spike of yellow flowers. It is now one of the most widespread plants in North America, colonizing roadsides, disturbed areas, and open hillsides. Goldfinches and many other songbirds eat its tiny seeds. The leaf wool was used as fire-starting material and lamp wicks.
Best time to see a Common Mullein
The best time to see a Common Mullein is March–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 120,101 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Common Mullein? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Common Mullein sightings near you
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