Rising tall and unmistakable in open landscapes, Mullein begins as a low rosette of broad, velvety leaves that feel thick, soft, and woolly to the touch. Their pale green surface is covered in fine hairs, giving the plant a silvery cast in sunlight. In its second year (sometimes later) it sends up a single, sturdy stalk that can reach 4 to 7 feet in height. Along this upright stem, small yellow blossoms cluster tightly in a sharp, tapering cone, opening gradually from the base upward and creating its distinctive, spire-like shape.
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, Mullein now grows freely in open fields and sunny meadows across much of the world. Brewed as a tea, the dried leaves yield a clear, light golden cup with a mild, earthy taste and a smooth, gentle finish.
