White Mullein
VU

White Mullein

Verbascum lychnitis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum_lychnitis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

White Mullein faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range, with traditional chalk grasslands and limestone habitats being converted or degraded. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in grazing regimes, as both overgrazing and abandonment of pastoral systems alter the open, disturbed ground conditions it requires for establishment. Climate change poses additional stress through altered precipitation patterns affecting seed germination and establishment success.

Threat summary

Habitat

White Mullein typically inhabits open, calcareous grasslands, chalk downs, limestone quarries, and disturbed ground on well-drained soils. The species favors sunny locations with sparse vegetation cover, often establishing on roadsides, field margins, and areas with periodic soil disturbance.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Scrophulariaceae

MudwortEN

Mudwort

Limosella aquatica

Unknown
MulleinEN

Mullein

Verbascum densiflorum

Unknown
CR

Buddleja curviflora

Unknown
Water figwortCR

Water figwort

Scrophularia umbrosa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is White Mullein classified as Vulnerable?
White Mullein is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. White Mullein faces significant pressure from agricultural intensification and urban development across its European range, with traditional chalk grasslands and limestone habitats being converted or degraded. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in grazing regimes, as both overgrazing and abandonment of pastoral systems alter the open, disturbed ground conditions it requires for establishment. Climate change poses additional stress through altered precipitation patterns affecting seed germination and establishment success.
Where does White Mullein live?
White Mullein occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to White Mullein?
The main threats to White Mullein are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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