Mullein (Verbascum) is a herb that belongs to the Norichnikov family. The origin of the plant began in the United States, East Asia and Mediterranean countries. In Latin, the mullein is called "verbascum", but for our region such a definition is rarely heard.
The mullein is distinguished by abundant flowering. Stems closer to the crown are covered with fragrant inflorescences, painted in a bright pink, white or yellow shade. If you plant a mullein in your flower bed, none of the guests will remain indifferent. Due to the rich color of flowers, the plant attracts birds and insects. Early in the morning, the garden seems to come to life. The buzzing of bees and the chirping of birds will be heard from all corners. In addition to its attractive appearance, mullein has medicinal properties.
Description of the plant
In the wild, there are annual, biennial or perennial species of mullein. The powerful rhizome grows firmly into the ground. The central stem practically does not branch out. Depending on the area of growth, the height of the stem can reach from 0.5 cm to 3 cm. The lower tier of oval leaves is collected in a rosette. The leaves have a petiolate base that is twice the length of the leaf plate. On the surface of the shoot, sessile whole plates appear, which are arranged in an opposite order or in the form of a spiral. The surface of the leaves has a thick fleecy felt. The coloration of the terrestrial parts of many species of mullein is presented mainly in dark green or gray tones.
A year after planting the mullein in open ground, the main stem is formed near the bushes, crowned with flowers at the top. Spikelets are formed from bright buds arranged in several rows. The number of the lower rims ranges from 4 to 7 pieces, and the upper ones from 1 to 6 pieces. The corolla width does not exceed 2 cm. The petals, painted in a yellow tint, are woven into tubular buds. At the peak of flowering, they open wide. From the core, the heads of stamens are shown, differing in size and shape. The budding process lasts three summer months.
From the pollinated inflorescences, pubescent fruit pods filled with seeds are formed. Seeds are small, oblong and brownish in color. The seed coat is rough to the touch.
Growing mullein
Mullein is grown from seed or cuttings. Seed germination is maintained for a long time. The material is frost resistant. Planting mullein seeds is allowed to be carried out directly into the ground. Often ripe seed pods spill out onto the flower bed on their own. In order not to damage the taproot, which is deeply embedded in the soil, it is not recommended to replant the bushes. Seeds are sown on the prepared area in May, after waiting until the air temperature warms up to + 15 ° C.
The emergence of seedlings is observed after 7-14 days, depending on weather conditions.At first, the growth of seedlings is very slow. With proper care of mullein seedlings, they will gradually get stronger. Plants bloom one year after sowing. The mullein struggles with self-pollination. For this reason, new bushes are able to acquire characteristics that are different from the mother bushes.
To keep the varietal characteristics the same, it is better to use cuttings. Cuttings of root shoots are harvested at the end of the flowering period, due to which rooting will be more successful. The mother bush is carefully removed from the hole, without damaging the basal processes, and the earth is shaken off. The rhizome is divided into parts, leaving a bud or shoot in each division. The stalk is cut with a length of 5 to 7 cm and placed in the sand by 5 mm. The distance from one seedling to another is 40 cm.
Mullein care
Caring for a mullein is not a hassle, even a beginner in horticulture can handle it. In order for the plant to develop normally, an illuminated area, heated by the sun's rays, is selected for growing the mullein. A small shade will not affect the development of the bushes. However, the constant lack of light negatively affects the growth of culture.
The substrate is chosen with a loose structure. Clay soil types must be diluted with coarse sand, gravel and peat. As for the fertility indicator, planting mullein needs moderately fertile soil. Without a transplant, the plant is actively developing for a couple of years. Too nutritious substrate or excess moisture near the rhizome inhibits it and can cause death.
Watering is provided during periods of drought. Water is added in a small amount. Before the next watering, the top layer of the earth should dry out. If the groundwater is deep, the roots will lack moisture. In case of violation of the irrigation regime, rotting of the underground part occurs. The death of the mullein is ultimately inevitable.
The plot with crops of mullein is fed if necessary. A one-time feeding with mineral fertilizers at the budding stage is enough. Fertile substrate does not need to be fed.
A mullein will live much longer if the buds are trimmed before the seeds ripen. Hybrids will re-bloom during the season with early pruning.
Types and varieties of mullein with photo
There are many subspecies of mullein. About 250 different names can be found in botanical and garden literature. The climatic features of the terrain of our country make it possible to grow only a few of them. Mullein is prized for its medicinal properties.
Sceptra mullein (Verbascum densiflorum)
The erect, strong stem is strewn with dense foliage. The length of the lower tier of leaf blades grows by 10-40 cm, the upper one - by 4-10 cm. The inflorescence looks like a yellow spikelet. Often the plant is confused with the royal skipedar, which laid the foundation for the name of the species. The width of the corollas varies between 3-5 cm. Flowering bushes exude a light sweetish odor. When dried, the stems smell with a pronounced honey aroma.
Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
The stems and leaves of the bushes have a silvery layer of pile. The shoots are heavily leafy; a short flowering spikelet is concentrated on the crown. Leaves near the surface of the soil grow 15-30 cm in length and emerge from the petiole nests. The diameter of the leaf blades becomes smaller and smaller as you move to the top of the stem. The different sizes of deciduous tiers give rise to the conical shape of the plant. Small corollas are woven into lush inflorescences.
Black mullein (Verbascum nigrum)
The height of the bushes can be up to one meter. Stems are straight with broad leaves, most of which are located at the bottom. The shape of the leaf blades is oval or heart-shaped. Their length is 20 cm. The inflorescence consists of densely interconnected lemon-colored corollas. Below the petals are spotty. The stamens contain long lilac hairs.
Mullein (Verbascum phlomoides)
Shoots of the species grow from 0.5 to 1.5 m in length.Inflorescences accumulate at the apex and branch into parts. The vegetative parts are fleecy. Leaves are ovoid with smooth edges no more than 25 cm long. The petals are elongated and gather in groups over the entire surface of the spikelets. The size of the petals does not exceed 5 cm. The red anthers stand out against the background of dense vegetation.
Hybrid mullein (Verbascum x hybridum)
It was bred by breeders as a result of crossing. The decorative feature of the species is the abundant flowering of bright large buds. The length of the stems in different varietal forms of this hybrid may differ. The most famous varieties are:
- Mont Blanc is a tall variety with white lush inflorescences;
- Herry Helen - characterized by massive deep pink flowers;
- Jackie is a short bush that blooms with smoky pink spikelets;
- Pink Domino is a raspberry variety with an orange tint.
Mullein in landscape design
Mullein is a beautiful tall plant that will decorate any garden plot and will be an excellent company for other green pets. The varieties are distinguished by a variety of colors. The scent of the opened buds attracts beneficial insects and birds. The plant blooms at a later date after the primroses have departed, and closes the empty areas in the garden while the autumn perennials form their buds. Landings will look more harmonious if you correctly organize the arrangement of the flower bed. Flowers are friendly to neighbors such as catnip, sage, orchis or anaphalis.
Mullein is often planted as a background for other plants, near lawn grass as a tapeworm, in rockeries and along paths.
Medicinal properties of mullein
Most of the cultivated species of mullein are used as folk remedies. Flowers, stems and shoots contain tannins, vitamins, essential oils and flavonoids. Tinctures, decoctions and oils are prepared from plant raw materials, which are used for inflammation, as an expectorant and hemostatic agent.
Flower decoctions are able to liquefy the accumulation of phlegm in case of respiratory diseases. Fresh squeezed juice is used to treat warts. A towel or napkin soaked in broth is applied to the diseased areas of the skin. It is about acne disease. Flower tinctures, prepared with alcohol, are prescribed to be taken by people suffering from cystitis, bronchial asthma, hypertension, colds, rheumatism. Mullein is also used in the treatment of various skin rashes, diseases associated with the liver and gastrointestinal tract. To prevent infection of open wounds and abrasions of the feet, sprinkle with crushed dried raw materials.
Medicinal fees are harvested when the inflorescences begin to bloom. Flowers replace each other. Corollas are cut in the morning. The collected inflorescences are dried by hanging the buttons from the ceiling, or used for drying ovens, ovens, setting the temperature to no more than 50 ° C. The dried mullein is stored in bags and has medicinal properties for about two years.
Contraindications
The mullein plant has practically no contraindications or restrictions in use, but people who have an individual intolerance to the components fall under the risk category. Broths are allowed to be consumed only after thorough straining.
