Geograph - photograph every grid square

Great mullein grows as a biennial. Most of the old names for the plant reflect the softness of the rosette leaves in its first year which are covered in soft greyish wool: Adam's flannel, Donkey's ears, Hare's beard. Andrex plant has been coined in more recent times suggesting another possible use. In the second year a tall flower spike of yellow flowers grows up to 8 feet high, giving rise to the names: Aaron's rod and Our Lady's candle SO6025 : Flowers on the verge

A year later this plant had expanded into a tall flower spike NZ1465 : Great mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Tyne riverside.