Virginia Fanpetals

A very tall perennial with big bold palmate leaves, the plant reaching 10-20' tall. The flowers are not showy.

Most source...Read Mores say this species is hardy to Z3-4.

Its native range is in the Appalachians and the Ohio valley, where it occurs on riverine terraces or floodplains, sunny and moist or on woodland edges, disturbed meadows, roadsides, and railroad rights-of-way. It is rare or threatened and protected throughout its range. It's been designated threatened in IN, MD, TN, and PA, and of special concern in KY.

Its use as a biomass crop for alternative energy production has been proposed. In Poland and the Ukraine, it has been grown experimentally since the 1930's for soil stabilization, for its fiber for use in paper manufacturing, as a source of fodder for livestock, and as a source of nectar for beekeeping. It may also make a bold foliage plant in gardens.

It's usually referred to as Virginia-mallow.