My friend noticed a weed next to his house that had interesting stripes and decided to let it grow. It is now three feet wide. There is no other plant like it in the neighborhood. Does anyone know it's id other than "weed"? I told him that if he likes it then it is not a weed.

It could be a thistle. It it a pretty plant and I'd have let it grow too. Only thing, if it is a thistle, make sure to cut off all the flowers before they go to seed, wrap up the cuttings and put in trash. Thistle reseeds and quickly becomes a big nuisance... no matter how pretty the plant.

It does look like a milk thistle plant. I tell him to look out for the flower. Thank you!

Silybum marianum, milk thistle, blessed milk thistle. Considered a noxious weed in some areas.

In late summer after the flowers have set seed? Your friend gets a treat as Finches will be all over them