MULLEIN

This is a Great Mullein plant (Verbascum thapsus)....to be more specific, it is the floral spike of the Mullein plant.

It's native to Europe and is one of several species of a variety of shapes and sizes. The leaves of this plant have been used by Native Americans in folk medicine and the plant supposedly has high levels of rotenone....a toxin that can be used to poison fish.  By grinding up this plant and putting it into a stream, the fish go belly up quickly and can be harvested by hand by individuals standing downstream. 

Its seeds are also pretty good food for certain birds...American Goldfinch for one...as they persist into the cold weather when other seeds are unavailable to bird life.

Best in Large.