Common Mullein, Verbascum thapsus. Common Mullein is a non-native invasive.

It us a biennial. If you pull that one out of the ground that will be the end of it. More will likely come up from seed however. First year plants have a big rosette of simple fuzzy leaves that are easy to spot in the fall.

Thanks! I goolged it and it looks like ti will keep evil spirits away, can be use for congestion and has a narcotic effect.

"Properties
Great Mullein has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries, and in many countries throughout the world, the value of Great Mullein as a proven medicinal herb is now backed by scientific evidence. Some valuable constituents contained in Mullein are Coumarin and Hesperidin, they exhibit many healing abilities. Research indicates some of the uses as analgesic, antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, bacteristat, cardio-depressant, estrogenic, fungicide, hypnotic, sedative and pesticide are valid."

http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mullien.htm

I don't think Mullen is invasive. Non-native yes, invasive, no.

I've seen a large stand of 30 or more growing in a gravel parking lot that I pass each day on my way to work. It might not be as bad as some, but I'd say it is invasive.

I've not allowed mine to go to seed and pull them out...I still find a couple in the yard each year.

The only place I have ever seen a large stand of mullein was a location where a building had been taken down and the surrounding ground surface had been scraped by a bulldozer. Over the next couple of seasons mullein dominated the area but now it is populated by our standard set of weedy plants for this area with no mullein to be seen.

Mullein prefers the marginal (and poor soil) areas where the competition is not strong. A gravel parking lot is a good example. What else would survive there?

Its seed has a very long viability period. I once read 70 years. Perhaps old seed sprouting across the lawn? ;)

FataMorgana

Its certainly a first succession species, will grow were other stuff can't. Around here, it doesn't necessarily out compete everything else or take over an already established diverse plant community.

I could see it being more aggressive out west, in a drier climate.

Birds like to eat its seed, so the seed does get spread around quite a bit.