Verbascum speciosum subsp. speciosum

Biennials. Stems 50–200 cm, closely and persistently tomentose, often yellowish, eglandular. Leaves: surfaces closely and persistently tomentose, often yellowish, abaxial epidermis obscured, eglandular; basal and proximal cauline with petiole 15–50 mm; blade broadly oblanceolate to elliptic-obovate or oblong-lanceolate, (12–)25–42 × 4–10 cm, base attenuate; cauline auriculate-subclasping, gradually smaller distally, base not decurrent, margins entire or minutely serrate-dentate, apex of distal cauline and floral bracts caudate to long-acuminate. Inflorescences freely branched, broadly elliptic or ovate panicle, flowers loosely overlapping, in clusters of 5–8; rachis closely and persistently tomentose, often yellowish, densely obscuring abaxial leaf epidermis, eglandular; bracts broadly ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, (5–)8–15(–20) mm, base not decurrent, apex acuminate, closely and persistently tomentose, often yellowish, densely obscuring abaxial leaf epidermis, eglandular. Pedicels free, (3–)5–12 mm; bracteoles 2. Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm, closely and persistently tomentose, often yellowish, densely obscuring abaxial leaf epidermis, eglandular, lobes narrowly lanceolate; corolla yellow, 18–30 mm diam., pellucid glands absent; filaments villous, hairs whitish to yellowish; stigma spatulate, base decurrent. Capsules ovoid-oblong to oblong-ovate, 4–7 mm, tomentose. 2n = 36.

Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 100–600 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Calif., Ill., Europe.

Discussion

There is a historic record of subsp. speciosum collected at Portland, Oregon, in 1909 (Suksdorf s.n., WS).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.