There are two, quite tall native plants that are flowering this week. They both have a red-hued inflorescence atop a tall stem and with similarly lanceolate leaves. To a casual viewer only seeing one of the two confusion as to which they are looking at is possible - and indeed, happens, as a recent conversation demonstrated.
Here they are, fortuitously growing side by side - never mistake them again. Joe Pye Weed and Swamp Milkweed
Thanks. My 'Joe Pye Weed' must be something else, as it has white flowers. Valerian, maybe?
Of course it helps when they're both in flower!