Verbascum pulverulentum
Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné, 22. 1779.
Biennials. Stems 50–150 (–200) cm, densely and loosely white-floccose, glabrescent, eglandular. Leaves: surfaces densely and loosely white-floccose, glabrescent, especially abaxially, sometimes thin-persistent adaxially, eglandular; basal and proximal cauline sessile; blade obovate to oblong-ovate, 12–30 (–40) × 5–10 (–15) cm, base attenuate; cauline clasping or subclasping, gradually smaller distally, base not decurrent, margins crenate or subentire, apex of distal cauline and floral bracts acuminate. Inflorescences freely branched, broadly elliptic to ovate panicle, flowers becoming remote in fruit, in clusters of 2–5; rachis densely and loosely white-floccose on both surfaces, easily separating, glabrescent, eglandular; bracts linear, 3–5 mm, base not decurrent, apex acute, densely and loosely white-floccose on both surfaces, easily separating, glabrescent, eglandular. Pedicels free, (1–) 2–5 (–7) mm; bracteoles 2. Flowers: calyx 2–3.5 mm, densely and loosely white-floccose on both surfaces, easily separating, glabrescent, eglandular, lobes linear-lanceolate; corolla yellow, 18–20 mm diam., pellucid glands numerous; filaments villous, hairs white; stigma capitate. Capsules ellipsoid-globular, 3–5 (–8) mm, glabrescent.
Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 20–30 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Wash., Europe, also in Pacific Islands (New Zealand)
Discussion
Verbascum pulverulentum is recognized by its densely white-floccose vestiture (separating easily in clumps from the stems and leaf surfaces), non-decurrent cauline leaves, freely branched inflorescences with remote fruiting clusters, and relatively small flowers.
Verbascum pulverulentum was discovered in the flora area in 1999 as a weed in the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle (A. L. Jacobsen et al. 2001). These plants were clearly seen as growing outside of cultivation at the time, and plants were collected again in 2005, suggesting that V. pulverulentum persists at the arboretum site.
Selected References
None.