Verbascum densiflorum
Rar. Lig. [Ital.] Pl. 3: 52. 1810.
Biennials. Stems 30–120 cm, densely and persistently tomentose, eglandular. Leaves: surfaces densely and persistently tomentose, eglandular; basal and proximal cauline with petiole 10–30 mm; blade obovate to oblong-ovate, 5–25(–30) × 4–8(–12) cm, base attenuate; cauline not clasping, gradually smaller distally, base long-decurrent, margins crenate, apex of distal cauline and floral bracts long-acuminate. Inflorescences unbranched, narrowly cylindric, sometimes branched from proximal nodes, forming a panicle, flowers densely overlapping, in clusters of 2–8; rachis densely and persistently tomentose, eglandular; bracts ovate, 15–40 mm, base decurrent, apex long-acuminate, densely and persistently tomentose, eglandular. Pedicels free or adnate to rachis at base, 3–15 mm; bracteoles 2. Flowers: calyx 5–12 mm, densely and persistently tomentose, eglandular, lobes ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate; corolla yellow, 30–55 mm diam., pellucid glands absent or relatively few; proximal filaments glabrous, distal pair villous, hairs white or yellow, anthers orange; stigma spatulate, base decurrent. Capsules elliptic-ovoid, 5–8 mm, tomentose.
Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 50–300 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Iowa, Mass., Mich., Mo., Wis., Europe, Asia, introduced also in South America (Chile), Australia.
Discussion
Verbascum ×humnickii Franchet is a hybrid between V. densiflorum and V. thapsus.
Selected References
None.