*Dipsacus fullonum Linnaeus. Common name: Wild Teasel, Common Teasel. Phenology: Jul-Sep; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Roadsides, pastures, disturbed areas. Distribution: Native of Europe. Recently discovered for GA in Floyd County (T. Govus, pers. comm. 2009).
Origin/Endemic status: Europe
Other Comments: The inflorescences are frequently collected for crafts and dried arrangements.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, GBI4, Il, K4, Mi, Mo2, NE, NY, Tn, Va, W, Ferguson (1965), Stace (2021); = Dipsacus fullonum L. ssp. sylvestris (Huds.) Clapham; = Dipsacus sylvestris Huds. — C, F, G, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, WV; < Dipsacus fullonum L. — GrPl. Basionym: Dipsacus fullonum L. 1753
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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© Evan Raskin | Original Image ⭷
© Evan Raskin | Original Image ⭷
© Evan Raskin | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Evan Raskin | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect biennial/perennial of roadsides, pastures and other disturbed areas. Native of Europe, now found in most of North America.
Stems: Stems 1-several from base, ridged, some opposite branching, increasingly prickly upward.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, pairs joined at the base, lance-shaped, 4-16 in. long, with prominent midvein and prickles (especially beneath); basal leaves (dying in 2nd season) are wrinkly and scallop-edged.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) solitary on long stalks at top of stem; heads cone-shaped, 1 1/4-3 1/2 in. long, consisting of lavender to white, tubular florets interspersed with spiny bracts. Long, narrow, prickly, green bracts at base of head curve upward and form a "cage" around the persistent head.
Fruits: Fruit an angular achene.
Comments: Dipsacus laciniatus, also of disturbed sites and native to Eurasia, is similar but leaves are deeply divided into narrow segments. D. sativus, similar and also exotic but not as widespread, has hooked rather than straight spiny bracts in the heads, and the narrow, leaf-like, green bracts underlying heads spread outward rather than curve upward.
Height: 1 1/2-6 1/2 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect biennial/perennial of roadsides, pastures and other disturbed areas. Native of Europe, now found in most of North America.
stems: Stems 1-several from base, ridged, some opposite branching, increasingly prickly upward.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, pairs joined at the base, lance-shaped, 4-16 in. long, with prominent midvein and prickles (especially beneath); basal leaves (dying in 2nd season) are wrinkly and scallop-edged.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) solitary on long stalks at top of stem; heads cone-shaped, 1 1/4-3 1/2 in. long, consisting of lavender to white, tubular florets interspersed with spiny bracts. Long, narrow, prickly, green bracts at base of head curve upward and form a "cage" around the persistent head.
fruits: Fruit an angular achene.
comments: Dipsacus laciniatus, also of disturbed sites and native to Eurasia, is similar but leaves are deeply divided into narrow segments. D. sativus, similar and also exotic but not as widespread, has hooked rather than straight spiny bracts in the heads, and the narrow, leaf-like, green bracts underlying heads spread outward rather than curve upward.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: Europe
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