The 17‐membered macrocyclic spermine alkaloids protoverbine ((8S)‐8‐phenyl‐1,5,9,13‐tetraazacycloheptadecan‐6‐one, 1) and its N(9),N(13)‐methylene‐bridged derivative protomethine ((2S)‐2‐phenyl‐1,5,9,14‐tetraazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadecan‐4‐one, 2) were isolated from Verbascum pseudonobile Stoj. et Stef. (Scrophulariaceae) and characterized. The synthesis of their racemates is described. The possible role of (S)‐protoverbine (1) and (S)‐protomethine (2) as precursors in the biogenesis of the whole class of N(1),N(9)‐ and/or N(13)‐substituted alkaloids, the groups of verbamethine ((S)‐3a – f), verbacine ((S)‐4a – f), incasine B′/verdoline ((S)‐5a – f), verbamedine ((S)‐6a – f), and verbascenine ((S)‐7a – f), is discussed.