Common Mullein

Scientific Name - Verbascum thapsus L.
Family - Scrophulariaceae

Densely-hairy or woolly biennial to 6 feet (2m) tall. Basal leaves in rosette. Stem leaves, alternate, densely-hairy, elliptic in shape, without petioles and with a leaf base that is fused to and extends down the stem. Flowers, yellow, densely-packed in a tall growing cylindrical spike. Only a few flowers open at any one time. Reproduces by seed. Commonly found on roadsides and waste places. Occurs throughout the United States except for the upper Great Plains. Also found in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Hawaii.