Verbascum sinuatum var. sinuatum
Biennials. Stems 50–100 cm, persistently and loosely tawny-tomentose, usually eglandular. Leaves: surfaces persistently and loosely tawny-tomentose, usually eglandular; basal and proximal cauline with petiole 5–25 mm; blade oblong to obovate, oblong-obovate, or broadly lanceolate, (10–)15–25(–35) × 4–8(–12) cm, base attenuate; cauline subauriculate-clasping, gradually smaller distally, base short-decurrent, margins sinuate to incised or incised-lobed, apex of distal cauline and floral bracts acute. Inflorescences freely branched, broadly elliptic to ovate panicle, flowers remote, in clusters of 2–7, rarely solitary; rachis persistently and loosely tawny-tomentose, abaxial leaf epidermis evident, usually eglandular; bracts cordate-deltate, 3–8 mm, base not decurrent, apex cuspidate, persistently and loosely tawny-tomentose, abaxial leaf epidermis evident, usually eglandular. Pedicels free, 2–5 mm; bracteoles 2. Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm, persistently and loosely tawny-tomentose, abaxial leaf epidermis evident, usually eglandular, lobes ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate; corolla yellow, 15–30 mm diam., pellucid glands relatively numerous; filaments villous, hairs violet to purple; stigma capitate. Capsules broadly ellipsoid to subglobular, 3–5 mm, tomentose. 2n = 30.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 100–300 m.
Distribution
Md., N.J., N.Y., Pa., Europe, Asia, introduced also in Africa (Tunisia), Australia.
Discussion
Variety sinuatum is recognized by its persistent tomentum, sinuate to lobed leaf margins, subauriculate and short-decurrent cauline leaves, and freely branched inflorescences with distantly remote flower clusters. Plants recognized as var. adenosepalum Murbeck occur from Turkey to Iran; they differ from var. sinuatum in having non-decurrent cauline leaves and glandular calyx lobes. Verbascum gaillardotii Boissier of the eastern Mediterranean region (Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey) has sometimes been recognized as V. sinuatum subsp. gaillardotii (Boissier) Bornmueller; compared to typical V. sinuatum, it has narrower bracts and bracteoles, slightly smaller corollas, and four (or five) stamens [versus (four or) five in V. sinuatum].
Selected References
None.