Definition

Noun: 1. A tall biennial plant: A specific plant species (Verbascum thapsus) characterized by a tall, upright stalk covered in dense, woolly hairs, with a dense spike of yellow flowers. Historically, its dried stalks were used as torches.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The field was dotted with the tall, yellow spikes of common mullein.
  • You can identify common mullein by its soft, fuzzy leaves in its first year of growth.

Advanced Usage

• "Verbascum thapsus": The scientific, botanical name for common mullein.
  • The herbalist referred to the plant by its Latin name, Verbascum thapsus.

Variants and Related Words

• Great mullein (n): Another common name for the same plant ().
  • Great mullein is often found growing in disturbed soils.
• Aaron's rod (n): A historical or folk name for common mullein, referencing its tall, straight stalk.
  • In some old herbals, the plant is called Aaron's rod.
• Torchweed (n): A folk name alluding to its historical use in making torches.
  • The name torchweed comes from the practice of dipping its stalks in tallow.

Synonyms

• Velvet plant: Refers to the soft, velvety texture of its leaves.
• Flannel leaf: Another name describing the woolly, flannel-like feel of the foliage.

Related Phrases

• Mullein leaf (n): Refers specifically to the large, soft leaves of the plant, often used in herbal preparations.
  • She made a tea from dried mullein leaf.

Noun

1. tall-stalked very woolly mullein with densely packed yellow flowers; ancient Greeks and Romans dipped the stalks in tallow for funeral torches