Wooly wooly

Common mullein, also known as wooly mullein, is an erect herb. First year mullein plants are low-growing rosettes of bluish gray-green, feltlike leaves that range from 4-12 inches in length and 1-5 inches in width. Mature flowering plants are produced the second year, and grow to 5 to 10 feet in height, including the conspicuous flowering stalk. The five-petaled yellow flowers are arranged in a leafy spike and bloom a few at a time from June-August. Leaves alternate along the flowering stalks and are much larger toward the base of the plant. The tiny seeds are pitted and rough with wavy ridges and deep grooves and can germinate after lying dormant in the soil for several decades.

A couple of these things popped up in the area between the front yard proper and the woods. Tom was fascinated by them -- they are huge, five to six feet high. Today I decided to try to identify them online, and this is it. The bad news is they will drive everything else out, so Tom just headed down to chop them down. I think he said something about taking his chainsaw, but I don't think they have gotten quite that big yet ...