Most of the familiar or useful plants have had their origin or
characteristics accounted for by myths or legends, whereby the ignorant
and superstitious have attempted to explain such features as attracted
their attention. Some of these ideas were creditable to the plant, while
others were quite the contrary. The Mullen appears to have led a dual
existence, seeking an alliance with the spiritual world and at the same
time aiding and abetting the witches in their nefarious undertakings.
A very pretty story concerning the Mullen is attributed to the American
Indian, but in some regards it seems to be a variant of the Scandinavian
Tree of Life myth. It appears that the Great Spirit of the red men lived
at the top of a high tree whose branches reached to the heavens; as no
mortal could attain to this high attitude, a spirit of the woods, in the
guise of a beautiful maiden, took pity upon the people and so fashioning
a ladder from the stems of the wild grape vine, she fastened it to a
star. In order that the Great Father might not be disturbed, the fair
sylvan carpeted the steps of the ladder with the velvet leaves of the
Mullen, upon which she noiselessly ascended and descended, bearing the
petitions of the red men or bringing to them advice or admonitions.
Of the one hundred and twenty-five species of Mullen that are native to
the old world, five have become naturalized in the United States. The
Great Mullen (Verbascum thapsus), so familiar in dry, open fields, was
originally christened by Pliny and has since received over forty English
names of a less classical origin and significance. The name Verbascum is
supposed to be derived from Berbascum, meaning a beard. Pliny doubtless
selected this name, either because of the hairs on the stems of the
plants or on account of the silky character of the leaves. The specific
name, thapsus, is said to have been added, as the plants grew in
considerable numbers in the vicinity of Thapsus.
One of the significant but impracticable common names of the Great
Mullen is Hag-taper. The plant gained this unpleasant appellation by
reason of the fact that if any one steps on a young Mullen plant after
sundown, the witches will ride him as a horse until morning, lighting
the way with Mullen stalks used for torches. These torches were also
employed at the meetings of the hags and witches, when the leaves of the
plant were an important element in the concoctions prepared in their
cauldrons. Another name is Hare’s Beard, illustrating a class of plants
that have weird names because of some fancied likeness to animals. The
name Cow’s Lungwort, arose from the resemblance between the leaf and the
dewlap of a cow, from which it was argued that the plant must be a
specific for lung diseases. In England, where the Mullen is known as
Blanket Leaf, the dried leaf is tied around the throat in cases of
colds. It is believed that the leaf sets up a mild irritation which will
be beneficial. The dried stalks of the plants were often used for
torches at funerals which gave rise to the names High or Hedge Torch.
The Great Mullen varies in height from two to seven feet. The stem is
stout, very woolly, with branching hairs. The oblong, pale green,
velvety leaves form a rosette on the ground or alternately clasp the
stem. The flowers, which are about an inch in diameter, are clustered
around a thick, dense spike, and have two long and three short stamens,
so arranged as to materially assist the process of cross fertilization
which is largely carried on by bees. It is interesting to note in
connection with the thick woolly covering of the plant that many
vegetable forms are so protected when exposed to intense heat or cold.
This is true of most alpine and desert forms and the value of such a
protection to the Mullen will be seen when it is remembered that the
plants are always found in open, dry, stony fields exposed to the fierce
heat of the sun, and afforded no protection for the rosettes of year-old
plants which must survive the winter in order to send up the flower
stalk the second spring.
[Illustration: GREAT MULLEN OR VELVET DOCK.
(Verbascum thapsus).]
[Illustration: MOTH MULLEN.
(Verbascum blattaria).
FROM “NATURE’S GARDEN”]
The Moth Mullen (Verbascum blattaria) is a far more attractive and
graceful plant than the form previously described. The specific name was
derived from the idea that the plant would kill the cockroach (Blatta).
It was supposed that moths would not go near the plant, and it was quite
a general custom in New England to pack these plants or flowers with
clothing or furs in order to keep out moths. The stamens are similar to
those of the Great Mullen, except the filaments are tufted with violet
hairs. The flowers are yellow or white on long, loose racemes. The
erect, slender stem is usually about two feet in height, and as a rule
there are no leaves present at the flowering time.
Charles S. Raddin.