white mullein

Thân thiện

A tall white mullein stands in a sunny meadow.

Definition

Noun: 1. A specific biennial herbaceous plant: White mullein is the common name for Verbascum lychnitis, a densely hairy Eurasian plant belonging to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). It is characterized by its tall, erect stem, woolly leaves, and a branching flower cluster (raceme) bearing numerous small, white flowers. It has become naturalized in parts of North America.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was dotted with the tall, white spikes of white mullein.
  • Unlike the common mullein with yellow flowers, white mullein is easily identified by its pale blossoms.
  • Botanists are studying the spread of white mullein in the local prairie ecosystem.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical contexts: The term is used precisely to distinguish from other species within the large genus, such as the common or great mullein (), which has yellow flowers.
  • The specimen was keyed out as white mullein (Verbascum lychnitis) based on its corolla color and branching inflorescence.

Variants and Related Words

• Mullein (noun): The general common name for plants of the genus . White mullein is one specific type.
• Verbascum lychnitis (noun): The formal botanical (Latin) name for white mullein.
• Candlestick mullein (noun): Another common name sometimes used for this plant, referring to the shape of its flower spike.

Synonyms

• Verbascum lychnitis (Scientific name)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "white mullein" refers specifically to this one plant species. It is not a general term for any mullein plant that happens to have white flowers (which is rare in the genus). The compound name functions as a single, fixed common name for the species.

Học thuật

Noun

1. densely hairy Eurasian herb with racemose white flowers; naturalized in North America

Từ đồng nghĩa

• verbascum lychnitis