We have a number of stands of mullein at the East Branch Nature Preserve and in the winter it looks like this (pictured above). Mullein is an extremely versatile plant to forage. All parts of it are useful in some way. In the winter, its large, furry, floppy leaves are shriveled or gone and its seed heads look scorched like they’ve been set on fire. This is ironic because In a pinch, in a survival situation, you can use the sturdy winter version of mullein as a torch by soaking the end in oil and lighting it. Otherwise, the leaves, roots and flowers are used for tinctures, oil infusions and tea. Come Spring it’s going to be fun to watch these plants grow again.
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