Could anyone help me figure out what this plant I saw in my youth was? Its like an elephant ear plant, stands five to seven feet tall, and the leaves are large, heart shaped, and fuzzy all over. They sprout leaves all up the entire stalk instead of just from the bottom. I've searched the internet but I can't find anything like it. When I saw it I was in West Virginia, it died during the winter but came back when it warmed up, but never spread like a bulb. Thanks alot.

Perhaps the following site may help:

Elephant Ear Plant

Try petasits japonicus var.giganteus

(found in wayside gardens)

http://www.waysidegardens.com

could that be it?