Does anyone know what this plant is? The leaves are fuzzy. 0_o

Question

It's growing wild near my house in the woods. There are several of these plants and they're very unusual. Any ideas?

Greedith B · Answer

I have no idea but when you find out I want to know too. I know whatever it is, in years past they used to make medicine out of it.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

Verbascum (Mullein)

Lisa D · Answer

Lambs ears or Mullen...a weed but i have several i do not pull up, they grow to about 3-4 feet tall and have a lovely flower spike in a buttery yellow.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

That is indeed the common mullein, or Verbascum thapsus. There are cultivated forms that make very nice additions to the garden. The plant usually referred to as lambs ears is actually a different plant with softer, grayer foliage: Stachys byzantina.

Kimberlee · Answer

Thank you all!! You're the best! I am thrilled to know this is a possible cool addition to my yard. I'm revitalizing a forgotten home and yard and making gardens throughout. This plant would be a great  conversation starter in my yard makeover!

Kimberlee · Answer

Charlda W, I live in Georgia. West Georgia to be specific. Near the Alabama line. I also live near a quarry. And our property is mostly rocks and very dry.

Karen T · Answer

I am pretty sure it is Muellin...does it grow long stalks with yellow flowers by late summer?

Mary T · Answer

It is Mullien - sometimes known as Indian Tobacco.  It has insignificant yellow blossoms on tall spikes.

Pat S · Answer

Definitely Mullien will have a tall spike with yellow blossoms. Quaker ladies used to rub the leaves on their cheeks to make them pink as they weren't allowed to use makeup!

Karen T · Answer

As an herbalist, I had my own business for about ten years...mainly providing herbal and natural remedies to Midwives, the Amish and Menonite people...Mullien leaves are excellent for removing mucous in congested lungs..flowers can be used for a cleansing and soothing effect to the skin, flowers can be infused with olive oil...for earaches...this infusion can also be mixed with beeswax to create a great balm for babies bottoms...the root, though hard to harvest because of it's long taproot...is very effective for unrinary tract problems...mixed with plantain leaves, is great for overall kidney health...even plantian tea alone is very good for kidney health...One important note:...if stalks are crooked, this is a very good indication that there are high levels of chemical contamination in the soil...only harvest from straight vigorous stalks...I used to tincture most of my herbs, as they last for many years in this form without loosing thier potency...although Mullien tincture is bitter...it is very easily used and effective...

Jan M · Answer

It looks like lams ear to me. It gets pretty purple flowers.

Terri J · Answer

I am not sure what it is, but pretty sure not lambs ear.  They are more blue green in color and have sort of like a velvety leaf.

Robin F · Answer

I was going to guess skunk cabbage but I'm not sure.

Sandra R · Answer

My Grandfather use to call this wooley grout. Years ago ( 75 ) they used the leaves on the plant for Piles. Ok , another conversation on butt holes! They would put the leaves in a metal pot pan, put boiling water over them and sit on the pot. Bare butted of course. It was to help relieve the piles. Never tried that one though.

Kimberlee · Answer

Karen, that was very helpful! Thank you so much! I plan on doing more with this plant. Awesome information.

Becky S · Answer

they are very pretty when full grown i have some in my yard !!! the tellow makes them pop

Susan S · Answer

@Sandra R. - and I'll bet there are some that don't know what 'Piles' are either!!!  LOL.  You tell 'em if they ask!!!  I'm sure that method of treatment was some fun - but probably very effective too!!

Judith S · Answer

to a mothers tongue

CARLA H · Answer

Mullein ~

Katrina Wylie · Answer

We always knew it as mullen although I know that is not the correct name(Mullien). Also I was told as a child that if you put a leaf in your shoes that it was good for arthritis.

Rose H · Answer

My fiance picks it and dries the leaves then adds it to herbal tea mixtures. He has asthma and says that it makes a huge difference in how well he is able to breath.

B. Reynolds · Answer

It is called mullen, they grow wild in alot of areas, the old folks used them for alot of medical remendys. The tame version of this is lambs ear. They are very pretty and multiply great. I have a whole border of these around the front of my house in lieu of monkey grass.

Susan S · Answer

I thought Lamb's Ear was more of a green/gray color??

Douglas Hunt · Answer

They're not related. Mullein is Verbascum thapsus, and cultivated versions for gardens are sold as verbascum. They're in the family Scrophulariaceae. Lamb's ear, Stachys byzantina, is an entirely different plant in the family Lamiaceae.

MomMom · Answer

I thought it was Lamb's Ear (or in the family) also.

Kimberlee · Answer

For the record, I tried to transplant one and wasn't successful and then when I saw how big they get in the wild, I decided against it all together. I'll just stick to enjoying it on my walks through the woods! <<< I'm learning to take the time to smell the roses and count the leaves and listen to the streams. It makes life so much more enjoyable! ;)

Sharon B · Answer

Did u ever find out what this was, it is pretty, mayb Douglas can tell u what it is on here.......

Douglas Hunt · Answer

@Sharon B : This plant was correctly identified as a mullein.

Sharon B · Answer

thanks, did not see that.......

I Play Outside The Box · Answer

I have trouble being sure a rose, is a rose, when I see one....so I'm clueless. Ü

Does anyone know what this plant is? The leaves are fuzzy. 0_o

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Does anyone know what this plant is? The leaves are fuzzy. 0_o

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