Also called the Great Velvet Mullein Not a native plant.
Birds enjoy the many seeds the stalks hold through the fall and winter.
Mullein is another plant brought to North America by early settlers as part of their collection of important medicinal plants. Back then you couldn't run down to a 24 hour CVS if you didn't feel well. Used most commonly for coughs, mullein leaves also were suggested as a remedy for both diarrhea and constipation. It grows well in poor soil. Giant fuzzy grey leaves are wonderful to see.