A very distinctive biennial due to the large, soft rosette leaves and the cylindrical, yellow flowering spikes to 6 or 8 feet tall. This plant was intentionally imported for its medicinal properties. The dried plant material is smoked to dry up fluid in the lungs caused by pneumonia-like ailments. It is still harvested for use in some areas. This species prefers dry sites and is often found in sandy or gravelly soils.