Who's Eating Me?

Of the mullein plant, the entire plant is well defended against being eaten, with the exception of the pollen and nector, which the plant wants eaten for pollination. 

Mullein is full of lots of chemicals. It uses these chemicals as toxins to prevent it's leaves from being eaten. The toxins that can be found in the leaves are rotenone, a common pesticide, and anodyne, which is known for painkilling properties. Assumably either of these chemicals taken in high doses to a small insect if fatal. 

 rotenone

The seeds contains saponins, which was discussed in an earlier blog. According to Wikipedia saponins are soap-like forming acting as a effective pesticide and fungicide. The seeds are also bitter to the taste becase of the chemical. The seeds contain this to prevent animals and insects from eating and consuming the seeds.

Saponin

Mullein also has some biological defenses. It has thick hairs which prevent easy access to the leaves. It has very thick and coarse stems which are not easily digestible to mammals. 

This plant puts a lot of effort into its self to prevent being eaten. The irony is that because it is so full of othese chemicals, humans have been growing this plant to use it's leaves and seeds for teas and for other herbal remidies. There are many wife-tales about the benefits of this plant. To prevent repetition I have discussed the different uses humans have found for this plant in earlier blog posts.