Teasel

Teasel (Dipsacus) is a genus of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae. Members of this genus are known as teasels or teazels. The genus includes about 15 species of tall herbaceous biennial plants (rarely short-lived perennial plants) growing to 1–2.5 metres (3.3–8.2 ft) tall.

Description

Teasels are characterized by their prickly stem and leaves, and their inflorescence of purple, dark pink or lavender flowers that form a head on the ends of the stem(s). The flowers are produced in a large, globular, often spiny head or inflorescence. The seeds are dispersed by birds that feed on the mature flower heads.

Distribution and habitat

Teasels are native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. The two species commonly grown in gardens, Dipsacus fullonum and Dipsacus sativus, have been widely introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand where they are considered an invasive weed.

Uses

Historically, the dried heads of Dipsacus fullonum were used in the process of fulling cloth, to raise the nap and create a softer surface. Today, teasels are occasionally grown as ornamental plants, and the dried heads are used in floristry.

Ecology

Teasels are known to attract a wide variety of insects, including bees and butterflies, for their nectar. They are also a favorite food source for some birds, including the European Goldfinch.

Cultivation

Teasels are easily grown from seed, and will grow in a wide range of conditions, though they prefer a sunny position in well-drained soil. They are hardy to USDA zone 4.

See also

• List of Dipsacus species
• Invasive species in the United States
• Invasive species in Australia

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