Edge/ Moth Mullein

COMMON NAME: Moth Mullein

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Slippery Mullein

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Verbascum blattaria

FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized  Native of Eurasia

LIFESPAN: Biennial

HEIGHT: to 4 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to September

FRUITING TIME: June to September

DISTRIBUTION: New England to Florida ~ West to Mississippi River ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Slender stem ~ Leave triangular to oblong, attached to the base without a stalk ~ Flowers yellow with 5 petals on a single stalk

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Scrophulariaceae) commonly called the Figwort or Snapdragon Family consists of 224 genera and 4,450 species of herbs and a few shrubs and trees.  Members of this family are cultivated as ornamental including Snapdragons, Slipper-Flowers and the Empress-Tree. Mullein is derived from Latin mollis meaning soft and alluding to the “woolly” leaves of these plants.  Mollis is the root for mollify, emollient and mollusk--soft marine invertebrate creatures known as the “soft ones”. The scientific name of this specie (blattaria) is derived from “Blatta” meaning cockroach.  Moth Mullein is said to repel cockroaches and mice.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.