Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) is blooming now in western Pennsylvania. Though it’s closely related to common mullein it hardly looks alike.
This biennial in the Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) grows a rosette of basal leaves in its first year, then sprouts a flower stalk that grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall in year two. Its white or yellow flowers bloom from bottom to top.
Native to Eurasia and Africa, moth mullein was first noticed in Pennsylvania in 1818. It’s not invasive in Pennsylvania but is listed as a noxious weed in Colorado.
Look for moth mullein in waste places and pastures. It’s not named for what it does, but for what it looks like: A flower that resembles a moth.
(photo by Kate St. John)
This is one of my favorite “weeds”. Even though it is a non-native I love the flowers and don’t mind when it appears in the yard since it is not invasive.
The trick to seeing these wonders in your “yard” is learning what they look like “early” be for flowering when weed wacking or mowing. Has someone written an illustrated “book” on the subject?
Stephen, I use this book to identify wildflowers: https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2012/07/08/favorite-wildflower-guide/
Note that the written descriptions are important to help identification. I also use this book to identify Weeds in Winter https://www.amazon.com/Weeds-Winter-Lauren-Brown/dp/0393303489