Six years ago I photographed only the flower head of a tall wild plant.



So, early this morning, I drove over to a nearby woods where I thought I found that one pictured. It is the only place I have seen them in my area over the years.
I've never seen one in a home flower garden.

Walla!! I found three plants. They are nearly 6 feet tall. The leaves are quite soft and rather large. Is it possible they are a noxious/invasive weed?

Thoughts on an ID would be most appreciated.

Jonathan

Sheep's Mullein

We always called it Indian tobacco.

Makes a good fire starting stick. Not that I have ever done it but I have seen it done several times.

^ Yes mullien^ The dried stalks are supposed to be excellent for use as a hand drill in fire making. I have made smoke with it, because of the high humidity around here I'll stick to the bow drill. They tend to grow on the morning sun side of the road or ditch. Invasive medicinal plant from Europe.

Verbascum thapsus

Verbascum thapsus, common mullien. Invasive from Asia, but not aggressive. Biennial.

Nice photo, as always Jonathan. Real common here in the dry west.

Jack

Invasive. We also call it Indian tobacco. Fairly common around this area.

Looks like our Mullen sorta

all over here in my area. the yellow finch seems to like them. or at least always around them.

Thank you all for your kind responses and regional ID names. My forgotten name in my memory kicked in when I saw Sheep's Mullein. That is what I called it back then.

Kindest regards,

Jonathan

I don't know if it's native or not, but i don't think it does any harm to native plants.

My grandmother used to take a leaf of it and make a poultice to put on wounds.....like when a kid stepped on a nail or some such. It is not native, but has been here for centuries.

One grew in my garden once, seeded out, wow lots of seeds in the stalk

Looks similar to what we call rabbit tobacco

I've used the leaves for trap covers.

Jarhead

I rather enjoy seeing them here . In winter, the seed stalks dry and stay for a variety of birds to use when food is scarce . Ive seen woodpeckers and other smaller birds working the tops of those tall stalks which store that food most of the time above snow depth. A natural cache for winter.

A lot of people use mullein to treat lung ailments. I have never used mullein.

It grows on my farm in a few scattered places. It does not seem very invasive. The birds do like the seeds. I see finches and sparrows hanging on the stalks.

Keith

Indian tobacco

Mullein it ever where down here including my yard.

mullein her in NH