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Shins
Fun guy



Registered: 09/15/04
Posts: 16,337
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IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects.
#14084752 - 03/08/11 01:26 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I've found a good patch of what i believe is a species of mullein.
It's still really early in the season and there are just relatively small rosettes growing.
What i'm wondering is if there are other plants that are lookalikes?
I've scoured the internet for the answer and found very little information.
So what say you?
Thanks in advance.
Edited by Shins (03/10/11 09:16 PM)
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Shins
Fun guy



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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14084756 - 03/08/11 01:27 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'll probably be able to post some pics tomorrow if anyone wants to help ID.
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Brainiac
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14085315 - 03/08/11 06:00 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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--------------------
Fair is Fair
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HarveyWalbanger
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14086724 - 03/08/11 01:32 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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There's not many look alikes for mullien, since they grow extremely well in areas that nothing else could. They also end up being significantly bigger than whatever resembles them. (imagine a 2-3foot diameter, and 4-5 foot tall velvet leafed plant, growing in a gravelly-sandy patch that grass wouldn't touch)
So, I say just wait, all will become clear.
Edit: you should still post a pic just in case.
Edited by HarveyWalbanger (03/08/11 01:38 PM)
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Shins
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Brainiac]
#14087402 - 03/08/11 03:42 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Brainiac said: http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html
Seems to have an good write up

Thank you! that WAS a good write up 
For some reason Google wasn't referencing that site for me.
The specimens i believe i've found are still very young, so many of mullein's most distinguishing features haven't yet emerged.
I'm basically just worried about lookalikes when they're young, which there seems to be a real lack of information on on the 'net in my searching.
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Shins
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14087409 - 03/08/11 03:43 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Edit: you should still post a pic just in case. 
When i get back with some later this afternoon I'm going to take some pics and do a proper ID request.
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Shins
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14088476 - 03/08/11 07:17 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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okay. I'm back with a bunch.
I couldn't take any habitat pics because my mobile camera is broken.
But first! before MY pictures, here is a picture from http://www.do-it-yourself-herbs.com/mullein-pictures.html that looks very much like the plant i harvested, only larger and presumably more mature.

Now my pictures and description;





Sorry, that the pics kinds of suck, all i have is my webcam.
Habitat: Growing in the ditch in an urban alley way in relatively poor soil along with common grass and other common weeds.
Season: Early spring, the crocuses are in bloom.
Size: The ones i saw were from 10cm (very young) up to 2 feed in diameter.
Leaves: Lime green under the white/grey "fuzz" that gives it an overall frosty green appearance, or frosty "highlight." younger leaves appeared more "fuzzy"
The rosettes seem to be both in clusters and single.
Smell: none
The leaves "snap" off crisply much like lettuce, although occasionally a central fibrous "string" would hold on.
The very bottom of the rosette, under the leaves near where the roots would start has a slightly purple tinge.
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aNeway2sayHooray
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Re: Question about IDing mullein. [Re: Shins]
#14090807 - 03/09/11 03:47 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Your description seems right but I cant tell by the pics.
The fuzz is very velvet like. Thick and standing up,unlike lambs ear where its smooth and lays down.
Your description of the "snap" of the leaves and the central fibrous string all sound spot on.
i sent you a pm
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Shins
Fun guy



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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: aNeway2sayHooray]
#14100764 - 03/10/11 09:16 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Okay, well, after further study, I've confirmed that I did indeed find some mullein.
Some things different about lamb's ears is the way the leaves meet the stalk, the way it forms more "woody" clusters, and the way it's "fuzz" actually looks more like wet animal fur the way it lays down and "flows" as if it's been wet.
I saw some lamb's ears out there too, but they look different.
So... I went ahead and ground up some of the fine young fuzzy leaves. I ended up with a really fluffy pile, with a feel similar to cotton/velvet. I put some into the bong and smoked a couple of bowls. It tastes quite mild and a bit sweet and "woody," with a very faint tobacco-like taste, especially near the end of the bowl.
Well, i actually got a slight buzz off of it, nothing major, the most noticeable effect i would say is a definite mild calm/relaxation, and a mild head "buzz" kind of like a drag or 2 from tobacco or a very mild "stone"
It burned REALLY well and evenly, i could see how this would be good to add to herbal blends to even the burn.
I originally got interested in this plant when i read about;
1. how common it is. 2. It's long history of medicinal use, and use by Native Americans, My girl friend is Native so it's kind of cool to learn about and try out. 3. I was wanting to learn about different herbs i could mix into herbal blends to extend more expensive ingredients.
All in all I'd say I'm glad i did, It's good to have another herb in your library of entheogens.
More about the mild "effects;" Mullein is commonly considered to be a mild narcotic.
Here's another thread of people talking about it: http://www.entheogen.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-3955.html
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HarveyWalbanger
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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: Shins]
#14101789 - 03/11/11 12:14 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Shins said: I originally got interested in this plant when i read about;
1. how common it is. 2. It's long history of medicinal use, and use by Native Americans, My girl friend is Native so it's kind of cool to learn about and try out. 3. I was wanting to learn about different herbs i could mix into herbal blends to extend more expensive ingredients.
Don't forget it's an important foraging source for pollinators and birds. too!
 (I think its a woodpecker)
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Shins
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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: Shins]
#14101944 - 03/11/11 01:04 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Haha, coool.
I read you can also make torches out of the dried seed spikes if you soak them in oil.
Don't worry little birdies! I only picked a few leaves off of each plant and left the rest to grow (besides the one i picked for science of course!)
I found another picture of a young plant that's a match.

Another feature is the slight waviness or pleat to the edge of the leaves.
Edited by Shins (03/11/11 01:05 AM)
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Shins
Fun guy



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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: Shins]
#14102497 - 03/11/11 05:24 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Some more good pics for anyone interested.
Early spring rosette:



http://www.all-creatures.org/picb/wfshl-mullein-comm.html
^ exactly how they ones i picked looked.
I believe the ones i found are Verbascum thapsus
I'm going to try a tea out of these, i'll post results.
...for science!
Edited by Shins (03/11/11 05:32 AM)
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Brainiac
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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: Shins]
#14102760 - 03/11/11 07:44 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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There's another plant that goes by indian tobacco... Lobelia inflata.. http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/indiantobacco.htm
Dont go by commen name, go by the latin name.
http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/mullein.htm
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Shins
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Re: IDing Mullein (Indian Tobacco) & Narcotic effects. [Re: Brainiac]
#14105901 - 03/11/11 08:38 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yeah, i read about that.
Lobelia as "Indian tobacco" is an east coast thing since it only grows wild in the east.
Mullein is also commonly called Indian tobacco, but perhaps not a famously as Lobelia? I don't know, maybe it's a west coast thing.
PS: that's a great website you linked from BTW, thanks.
Edited by Shins (03/11/11 08:42 PM)
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