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teasel

Scientific Name: Dipsacus

Family: Dipsacaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Teasel (Dipsacus)

Teasel refers to a genus of flowering plants in the family Caprifoliaceae. These plants are known commonly as teasel, teazel, or teazle.

Considerations for Pets

  • Teasels have prickly stems and spiny flower heads.
  • All parts of the plant (leaves, stalks, and flower heads) possess spines.

Considerations for Children

  • Teasels have prickly stems and spiny flower heads.
  • All parts of the plant (leaves, stalks, and flower heads) possess spines.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Dipsacus
  • Family: Caprifoliaceae
  • Common Names: teasel, teazel, teazle
  • Synonyms & Related Species:
    • Dipsacus fullonum
    • Dipsacus sylvestris
    • Dipsacus sativus (Fuller's teasel)
    • Dipsacus fullonum ssp. sativus (Fuller's teasel)
    • Dipsacus fullonum var. sylvestris
  • Other Common Names: barber's brush, brushes and combs, card teasel, card-thistle, church broom, gypsy-combs, Venus' basin, Venus'-cup, wild teasel, Johnny-prick-the-finger, Brush & Comb, Venus's Lip, Venus's Basin

Distribution and Habitat

  • Teasel is described as a native British wildflower.
  • It is also noted as a tall prickly Eurasian plant.
  • It can be found on embankments, hedgerows, and riverbanks.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Teasel is a robust, tall biennial plant which can grow to 6 feet or more (approximately 1.8 meters). Some specimens can reach over 2 meters in height.
  • It is sometimes described as a monocarpic perennial.
  • In its first year, it grows as a basal rosette with corrugated leaves.
  • All parts of the plant have spines.
  • It has serrated leaves and large spiny flower heads.
  • The flowerheads are egg-shaped and covered in straight spines.
  • The purple florets start in a ring around the equator of the flowerhead.

Ecological Role

  • The rosy-purple thistle-like flowers and ripening seedheads are attractive to bees and other wildlife.
  • Fuller's teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, is described as a home for wildlife.

Quirky Facts

  • Teasels were historically used in the Stroud woollen industry to raise the nap on fabrics.
  • One source mentions a motor cargo vessel named "Teasel."
  • Teasel Theatre Company is mentioned, although currently on a break.

Traditional Uses

  • Teasel has been appreciated for its medicinal uses in China.
  • Teasel root from Dipsacus Sylvestris is used for Lyme disease.

Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides help and information on Dipsacus fullonum (common teasel).
  • ARKive offers photos and facts about teasel.
  • Teasel England Fabrics offers fabrics for sale.
  • Suttons Seeds and Plants offers teasel seeds.