Names and Myths

Verbascum corruption of barbascum from the Latin barba, a beard.

blattaria Latin blatta cockroach – plant was thought to repel cockroaches.

Named due to it’s attractiveness to butterflies, and possible resemblance of the flowers to moths.⁶

Natural history / Folklore

Native to Europe.  Flowers open in the morning and wilt towards evening, flowers normally last a day then drop off. Given that the flowers are closed at night Moths are not their pollinators. Moth Mullen is a biennial the first year sending up a rosette of leaves, and flowering only in the second year.⁶

Description

June – October Flowers yellow or white, sometimes light pink with purple centers. Roadsides, fields.