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plant ID - a fuzzy cabbage plant?

13 years ago

have had this pop up in my garden several years in a row now, I just let it grow as it's kind of cool looking, but have no clue what it is or if I should get rid of it. Looks like a really thick fuzzy cabbage that never makes a head. I don't know how to post a photo here, but I can email a photo if you want to take a shot at identification, much appreciated.

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Comments (3)

lycopus
13 years ago
Maybe Mullein. Eventually they produce a really tall flower spike but this time of year they are often noticed as a rosette of soft, fuzzy leaves.
fatamorgana2121
13 years ago
Verbascum thapsus is the botanical name if you wish to look it up. It is not native to North America.

The first year plants are very interesting looking. Mullein is a biennial and flower/self sow in the second year. If you do not want additional ones of these plants, you will need to remove it before it sets seed. It produces COPIOUS amounts of seeds that remain viable for decades. It is rather easy to ID and pull out any young plants.

It's a weed to many and a medicinal herb to others.

FataMorgana
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I just looked up Plectranthus Forsteri, and it looks amazingly similar. What gets me, though, is that Forsteri is smooth (this is fuzzy all over, with an aroma transferring to the skin by touch) more vigorous, and its smell (from the descriptions) is wrong. It smells like an herb, though. Still, thanks for the fast reply! Its much more than I had before. :)
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Please post a picture, then the gurus here will be able to assist you. Fof
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mosswitch
13 years ago
Mullien does reseed very well. I always leave a few in interesting places for the sculptural quality, but pull out most seedlings as they are very easy to dispose of. As for the yellow flowered moth mullen, I try to keep some transplanted into my wildflower border, I love the dainty yellow flowers. All the mullens transplant very easily.

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