Wild teasel Dipsacus fullonum
Table of Contents
A tall, thorny biennial wildflower, wild teasel takes its name from its use in the textile industry where the spiny flower heads were used to ‘tease’ cloth (clean it), prior to spinning. It’s a valuable plant for wildlife, with both bees and birds being attracted to it.
Plant family: Caprifoliaceae
Aliases: Common teasel, gypsy’s comb, water thistle
Flowering period: July – August
Flower colour: Pink – purple
Preferred soil type: Most types, moist
Habitat: Grassland, waste areas, disturbed ground
Status: Common
General information
Wild teasel is a tall, herbaceous, biennial (two years to complete its life-cycle) or short-lived perennial plant, growing to a height of up to 2 metres. In the first year of growth the plant only develops as a low-growing basal rosette of leaves and it’s during the second year that the plant finally grows upward and blooms.
The whole plant is covered in prickly thorns and is common on rough grassland and waste ground, such as railway tracks and building sites. Few plants have the impact of teasel, as it frequently dominates the landscape and area where it grows, often growing taller than other plants and vegetation.
Teasel is a proto-carnivorous wildflower, meaning the plant traps small animals (insects), similar to carnivorous plants, however proto-carnivorous plants are unable to extract the nutrients from the trapped prey. Rainwater collects in the ‘cup-like’ structures that are formed where the leaves join the stem. The insects that enter are unable to climb out and end up being trapped.
Identification
Flowers: The flowers form in dense egg shaped heads, up to 10cm in length, surrounded by a whorl of thorny bracts. The purple flowers initially form in the middle of the flower head and spread sequentially toward the top and bottom of the flower head forming two separate belts.
Once the flowers die, they turn brown, often persisting throughout the winter months into the following spring. The dried flowers are sometimes used as decorative crafts, often being sprayed with silver or gold paint.
Leaves: The basal leaves form as a rosette, they’re oval in shape with scalloped edges and have a prickly underside. The stem leaves are opposite and lanceolate shaped, they typically measure 20 – 40cm long. They are thorny, particularly on the underside and have a distinct white central vein.
Value for wildlife
Wild teasel provide a rich source of pollen and nectar and are attractive to bees and butterflies. Its also a valuable food source for birds, especially goldfinches.
Uses for wild teasel
Few people would think that wild teasel is an edible plant, but the young leaves can be consumed, either cooked or eaten raw. They can be used in salads and smoothies. The roots can be used to make tea. The roots also have medicinal properties.
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