Verbascum thapsus aka Mullein

Verbascum thapsus, also known as the great mullein, greater mullein, or common mullein, is a biennial plant native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, and has been introduced in the Americas and Australia. It can grow to be over 2 meters tall and has small, yellow flowers densely grouped on a tall stem that grows from a large rosette of leaves. Although it prefers well-lit, disturbed soils, it can grow in a wide variety of habitats, including along roadsides, meadows, and pastures. It spreads by prolifically producing seeds and has become invasive in some temperate regions. Despite being a common weedy plant, it is not competitive with other species and cannot survive tilling. Common mullein has numerous traditional herbal medicine applications, including treating respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. Its leaves can be used to make herbal tea, and mullein oil can relieve earaches. Although it hosts many insects, some of which may be harmful to other plants, it is a relatively rare houseplant that is easy to grow in containers with regular watering and well-draining soil. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Mullein belongs to the Verbascum genus, and some of its uses include making dyes and torches. While no approved drugs are made from this plant, it continues to be used in traditional medicine.