Flannel Mullein (Verbascum)

[lofthouse <lofthouse at mtwest dot net>]

Flannel Mullein is a plant originally from europe, which grows wild now and
is quite widespread.  It is about four to six feet tall.  It is a biennial
which the first year has a large rosette of velvetty leaves.  The second
year it sends out a flower spike with yellow flowers on it.  If the soil is
fertile and it gets plenty of water it may also send out a number of
secondary spikes.  The spikes persist through winter. 

Are you familiar with this plant?  I bring it up because for the past few
years I have let a couple of these "weeds" grow in my flower garden as
specimens since they are a bit showy and unusual. What I have found
interesting is the number of birds that are attracted to them.  It seems
bugs love Mullein and the birds come for the insects, the flowers, and the
seeds.  Birds I have seen feeding on the plants include, Chickadee, Downy
Woodpecker, House Finches, Yellow Warbler, Oriole, Hummingbirds, Flicker,
Goldfinches, and Sparrows.  There was a young Yellow Warbler a few days ago
picking the yellow flowers and chewing on them, then dropping them.  I
don't know if the youngster was getting anything of value out of the
flower, or just having fun with it.  The adult warblers seemed to be
hunting insects on the mullein.  I was prompted to write this today
because, as we were eating dinner a Downy Woodpecker entertained us by
hunting on the mullein.

Great Birding,

James Lofthouse


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