Looks like Paulownia tomentosa seed pods.

I agree and that's a non-native invasive plant in the southeast.

Oh em gee.........for sure that's what it is. One pod is enough seed to plant a county. They seem to be invasive in more places than just the southeast. I'm finding them volunteering in the Ohio Valley.

Sometimes come up here in this otherwise unsuitable (annual summer drought) climate among stones and in other places where the soil is protected from summer drought. So it seems anywhere the soil does not get too dry in summer or the winter does not kill the flower buds this tree will try to reproduce itself.

In nature paulownias are pioneer trees that come up in disturbed places and develop rapidly, like alders, birches, cherries or poplars.