Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

-15

Harmful

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 65%

Height: 3–10 feet
Spread: 2–3 feet
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to average

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Do not plant. Listed invasive in West Virginia.

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Jerusalem Artichoke
Helianthus tuberosus
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, height, flower color
Tall Goldenrod
Solidago altissima
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, height, flower color
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod
Solidago rugosa
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, spread, flower color

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At a glance

Life cycle: Biennial
Leaves: Semi-evergreen or evergreen

Not yet recorded · Bloom

Recorded in 8 West Virginia counties.

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in West Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 119 animals.

Eurasian Collared-dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Birds. 1 shared habitat
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Golden-winged Warbler
Vermivora chrysoptera
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Hairy Woodpecker
Picoides villosus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia citrina
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Kentucky Warbler
Oporornis formosus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Least Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Louisiana Waterthrush
Seiurus motacilla
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Birds. 1 shared habitat
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Birds. 1 shared habitat

All wildlife of West Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

9CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Verbascum

Endothenia hebesanaVerbena Bud Moth
Feltia jaculiferaDingy Cutworm
Melanchra assimilisBlack Arches
Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
Platynota flavedanaBlack-Shaded Platynota
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Strymon melinusGray Hairstreak
Trichopolia oviducaRuddy Quaker
Xestia dolosaGreater Black-Letter Dart, Greater Spotted Cutworm

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Flower color: Yellow

What its natural habitat tells you

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Flower color · “Yellow” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 3a–9b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “3–10 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; Fire Effects Information System: Verbascum thapsus, Minnesota Wildflowers differ)
Leaves · “Semi-evergreen or evergreen” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Biennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
primary_flower_color · “yellow” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Occasionally dry” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic to neutral” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “2–3 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Woolly Mullein

Conservation status

West Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
WV status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source