Great Mullein Volunteer

Verbascum thapsis

It is a weed, and should be pulled out of the ground before it can produce thousands of seeds that will persist for decades in the soil.  For thousands of years it has been used for skin, throat and breathing ailments, as well as an astringent and emollient.  This is only the second mullein in our 16 years that has lived long enough to produce a flowering stalk.  It will be allowed to stay.

Growing outside my office window, the flower candelabra is visible just a couple of feet away, at the edge of my view of the Bay.  I look forward to watching it continue to reach up to the sun and sky.