A large rosette of fuzzy grey-green oval leaves the first year, the plant sends up a 6-8 foot stalk of 1" yellow flowers the 2nd year. Native Americans have used this plant for a myriad of ills. Leaves contain small amounts of roetenone and coumarin and are smoked to suppress spasmodic coughs and asthma. Leaf and flower tea are diuretic, expectoran,t demulcent, antibacterial, and antispasmodic. Leaf poultices are used to reduce pain, swelling, and fevers. Flowers soaked in oil are used to treat earaches and hemorrhoids. Roots are given to teething babies. Seeds can be used as fish poison.