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Native mullein look-alike?

21 years ago

Are there any native plants that look like mullein? I have 2 plants that I dug at a native plant rescue. Now I'm wondering what they are. They have the gray fuzzy leaves like mullein. Are there any natives that look like that? I just want to be sure before I pull them out. Thanks,

Shelley

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Comments (10)

Iris GW
21 years ago
Black eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta) has fuzzy leaves.
brenda_near_eno
21 years ago
I had a mystery plant finally solved after a year that may be your also. Is it Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)?

Here is a link that might be useful: Wild Comfrey
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Thanks for all the replies everyone. A little more info. Each clump is currently about five inches in diameter. The edges of the leaves are completely smooth (no toothed margins - that's just leaf hair that the rain has bunched together in places), and are hairy on both sides. The leaves in the center of the clump now seem to be becoming more erect, but are still soft and almost completely lacking any rigidity. As to this plant's status as a native, I have my doubts because of the leaf hairs. The only reason I can think of for a plant to have these hairs is to protect the leaf from excess moisture loss due to high heat, low humidity and wind. The area I live in is typically quite humid and receives abundant rain year-round, so (assuming I am correct in my assumptions about the evolutionary origins of this adaptation) there is no reason for plants native to this region to have hairy leaves.
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shelley_r
Original Author
21 years ago
Esh, it's not Rudbeckia.

Brenda, I wasn't familiar with Wild Comfrey. Thanks for the link. But it's not that either.

The leaves are very large, gray, thick, and fuzzy. Unless I hear from someone else that can identify it as a native plant real soon, out it goes. I need the space for the native seedlings that I winter-sowed. Thanks everyone.

Shelley
Iris GW
21 years ago
Shelley, you can pot it up for further identification later (when it gets bigger or flowers). Some of us do that with our unknown rescues (so that if it turns out to be a bad thing we can toss it then). Can you post a picture of it?
rweiler
20 years ago
My sister and I have been trying to identify our own Mullein look-alike. It was sold at a reputable nursery as lamb's ear. When it grew 3 feet in the last 2 months, it was clear we were not dealing with lamb's ear. It looks like the photos of Mullein that I've seen with the exception that it's blooms are light pink. I have read Mullein does have some new hybrids. Anyone have any thoughts?
Iris GW
20 years ago
How about this one?

Here is a link that might be useful: Pink verbascum
well_drained
20 years ago
King devil? (Dandelion-like non-native.)
dogbane23
20 years ago
It could be Salvia sclarea which is an biennial, but behaves just as bad as Mullein. In West Coast states it is a noxious weed
vbain
20 years ago
Mullein (AKA verbascum) is a native, but you should let it bloom. If you don't like it, cut of the bloomstalk, then it won't spread
shelley_r
Original Author
20 years ago
I determined that my plant was mullein, which is NOT native. It went in the compost bin.

Shelley

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