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Growth Habit: Verbascum blattaria is a biennial herbaceous plant. In its first year, it forms a basal rosette of leaves, and in the second year, it sends up a flowering stalk that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall.
Leaves: The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, with wavy margins, and are often covered with fine hairs. The basal leaves are larger, up to 15 cm long, while the upper stem leaves are smaller.
Flowers: The plant produces spike-like racemes of flowers, which can be either white or yellow with purple centers. Each flower has five petals and is approximately 2-3 cm in diameter. The flowers are slightly fragrant and attract pollinators, particularly moths, which gives the plant its common name.
Fruit: The fruit is a capsule containing numerous small seeds.
Known Range:
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.
Widely naturalized in North America, particularly in the eastern United States and parts of Canada.
Can also be found in Australia and other temperate regions.
Care Requirements:
Light: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Soil: Thrives in well-drained soils, ranging from sandy to loamy. It can tolerate poor soil conditions and is often found in disturbed areas.
Water: Drought-tolerant once established, though it prefers moderate watering.
Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 4-8. It can tolerate cold temperatures but may not thrive in extremely hot or humid climates.
Propagation: Propagated by seeds. Seeds should be sown in the fall or early spring. The plant self-seeds readily.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Deadhead flowers to prevent excessive self-seeding if undesired. The plant can become invasive in some areas, so control may be necessary.
Pests/Diseases: Generally pest-resistant. However, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases in overly moist conditions.
Uses:
Verbascum blattaria is often grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive flowers and foliage. It is also known for its ability to attract pollinators, including moths, bees, and butterflies.
Additional Notes:
This plant can become weedy in some regions. It’s essential to check local guidelines before planting to ensure it’s appropriate for the area.
