Definition

Noun: * A tall, biennial herbaceous plant (Verbascum thapsus) characterized by a single, thick, woolly stem, large, fuzzy leaves arranged in a basal rosette in its first year, and a dense, cylindrical spike of small, densely packed yellow flowers in its second year. Historically, its dried stalks were used as torches.

Usage

• "The great mullein stood like a solitary candle in the overgrown field."
• "Botanists identified the woolly plant as great mullein, a common roadside weed."
• "The dried stalk of the great mullein makes an excellent slow-burning torch."

Advanced Usage

• As a medicinal herb: In herbalism, the leaves and flowers of great mullein are traditionally used to make teas or extracts for respiratory ailments.
  • Example: "The herbalist harvested great mullein to make a soothing tea."
• As an invasive species: In some regions outside its native range, great mullein is considered an invasive plant that colonizes disturbed soils.
  • Example: "Conservationists are working to control the spread of great mullein in the prairie habitat."

Variants and Related Words

• Common Mullein: A frequent common name for the same plant ().
• Aaron's Rod: Another common name, referencing its tall, rod-like flower spike.
• Flannel Leaf: A name derived from the soft, woolly texture of its leaves.
• Torchweed: A historical name highlighting its use for making torches.
• Verbascum thapsus: The formal botanical (Latin) name.

Synonyms

• Common Mullein
• Aaron's Rod
• Flannel Plant
• Velvet Plant (referring to the leaf texture)

Related Phrases

• Mullein Torch: A phrase describing the historical practice of dipping the dried stalk in tallow or wax to create a makeshift torch.
  • Example: "They lit a mullein torch to illuminate the path."

Noun

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