Mullein / Verbascum thapsus

On 16 September 2015, I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after my volunteer shift. There seemed to be more flowers in bloom than on my previous visit. Also quite a few distant small birds flitting from tree to tree at one point They were impossible to see well enough to get photos or IDs, though.

I always love to see this tall plant, whether growing wild or in a garden. There are so many species and I'm not sure which one this is. My guess would be that it is Verbascum thapsus (Great or Common Mullein). Interesting to see the hairy stamens.

Verbascum, common name mullein (also known as velvet plant), is a genus of about 360 species of flowering plants in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean.

Mullein or "mullein leaf" often refers to the leaves of Verbascum thapsus, the great or common mullein, which is frequently used in herbal medicine." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum_thapsus