Verbascum speciosum
Showy mullein
(c) Stefan.lefnaer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Scrophulariaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Verbascum speciosum (Showy mullein) is a non-native California herb in the Scrophulariaceae family.
Showy mullein is a naturalized annual found in the Santa Cruz Mountains along roadsides at an elevation of 550 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces large yellow flowers 20 to 30 millimeters wide with white-hairy filaments. Growing with tall stems 100 to 150 centimeters high and densely covered in stellate hairs, it has a distinctive robust appearance. Its leaves are oblanceolate, petioled, reaching 30 to 40 centimeters long, and remain entire without running down the stem. The plant forms a branching panicle inflorescence with flower clusters of 5 to 9 blossoms per node, each supported by small ovate bracts.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 3 species; key differentiator is paniculate inflorescence with 5-9 flowers per node and petioled leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadsides
Elevation: 550 m
Outside California: native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Verbascum speciosum blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Stachys: Verbascum has nearly radial flowers in tall spikes; Stachys has bilateral flowers in whorled clusters.; vs Heterotheca: Verbascum has 5-petaled flowers with fuzzy stamens; Heterotheca has composite flower heads with ray and disk flowers.; vs Croton: Verbascum has showy yellow petaled flowers; Croton has tiny flowers without petals.; vs Oenothera: Verbascum has 5 stamens and fuzzy stalks; Oenothera has 8 stamens and smooth flower parts.; vs Dipsacus: Verbascum has individual flowers along spike; Dipsacus has flowers in dense, spiny, rounded heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is Verbascum speciosum native to California?
No. Verbascum speciosum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Verbascum speciosum bloom?
Verbascum speciosum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Verbascum speciosum belong to?
Verbascum speciosum is in the Scrophulariaceae family, genus Verbascum.
What habitat does Verbascum speciosum grow in?
Verbascum speciosum grows in Roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.