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
Introduced; 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.