[L. (Pliny), whence also It., Sp., Pg. verbasco.] A widely distributed genus of herbaceous plants, = MULLEIN; one or other species of this.
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. 161. The whyte Verbascum is called commonly in English wollen or hickis taper, and … longwurt.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 264. That kind of Verbascum or Mullen, the flower whereof resembleth gold.
1741. Compl. Fam.-Piece, II. iii. 367. Venetian Vetch, Borrage-leav’d Verbascum.
1765. Phil. Trans., LVI. 234. Phlomis, verbascum, stœchas, sage, thyme.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVI. 254/1. All the species of Verbascum are tall, robust, handsome plants, and may be cultivated in gardens and shrubberies.
1857. Henfrey, Bot., § 528. Verbascum, having 5 stamens, is sometimes referred to Solanaceæ.
