This Eurasian biennial is a widespread weed across temperate North America, and it became common in Ky. early after settlement. Short (1828-29) noted: "It is found in similar situations with the common mullein, and is frequently seen growing between the bricks of pavements and moist walls." White and rarely red color forms are collected from JEFF (DHL) and elsewhere. Reports from Ky. of the closely related V. phoenicium L., which has purple flowers, appear to have been based on misidentified blattaria (as reviewed by M)