COMMON MULLEIN

This is the Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus); it is an invasive plant in the States and other places on the planet but is native to Europe and North Africa. This shot was made during an idle moment between races at Road America earlier this season (we have to amuse ourselves some way, right?).

It can get to be a meter or more tall, it's seeds are poisonous and it's leaves are very "hairy"......feels almost like velvet. Grazing animals do not eat it...those "hairs" are irritating to them. 

There's an interesting little insect that lives among its basal leaves...it's called Thrips. Here's a Wiki link if you'd like to learn a little bit about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips