in botany: A genus of plants of the clas of pentandra, and order of monogynia; and in the natural system arranged under the 28th order, Luridae. The corolla is rotated, and rather unequal: the capsule is monocarpy and bivalved. There are 12 species, five of which are natives of Britain; 1. The thistle, or great mullein, which has a stem single, simple, erect, covered with leaves, about six feet high. Leaves large, broad, white, woolly on both sides, sessile, decurrent. Flowers terminal, in a long spike, sessile, yellow.

Catarhal coughs and diarrhoeas are the complaints for which it has been internally prescribed. Dr Home tried it in both, but it was only in the latter disease that this plant succeeded. He relates four cases in which a decoction of verbascum was given; and from which he concludes, that it "is useful in diminishing or stopping diarrhoeas of an old standing, and often in easing the pains of the intestines. These acquire a great degree of irritability; and the ordinary irritating causes, aliment, bile, dilution from air, keep up a quicker peristaltic motion. This is obviated by the emollient and perhaps-gentle astringent qualities of this plant."

2. The nigrum, or black mullein, having a stem beset with hairs that are beautifully branched; the blossoms yellow, with purple tips. It is a beautiful plant, and the flowers are grateful to bees. Swine eat it; sheep are not fond of it; cows, horses, and goats, refuse it. The other British species are the lychinitis, nierum, blattasi, and virgatum.