Teasel, Fuller's teasel
Dipsacus fullonum
Family: Dipsacaceae
What it is like
Dipsacus fullonum is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Copses, stream banks, roadsides, rough pasture etc, especially on clay soils.
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Native to North Africa, Europe and West Asia. It has been introduced to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
Teasel is little used in modern herbalism, and its therapeutic effects are disputed. Traditionally it has been used to treat conditions such as warts, fistulae (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic. An infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice. The root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use. An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat acne. The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows. A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Other
Rating: 2
A blue dye obtained from the dried plant is an indigo substitute. It is water soluble. A yellow is obtained when the plant is mixed with alum. Teasels are also occasionally grown as ornamental plants, and the dried heads are used in floristry. The seeds are an important winter food resource for some birds, notably the European goldfinch. Teasels are often grown in gardens and encouraged on some nature reserves to attract them. A rich source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Formerly widely used in textile processing, providing a natural comb for cleaning, aligning and raising the nap on fabrics, particularly wool.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils but prefers clay. Prefers a deep rich soil. Requires a sunny position. A good butterfly plant. This is the true wild species of teasel, its bracts are too flexible to be used for combing cloth. The flowering heads are much prized by flower arrangers because they keep their colour almost indefinitely when dried.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in early spring in situ. The seed can also be sown from February to May or from August to October. All but the earlier sowings can be made outdoors.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Biennial/Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
A weed of pastures and roadsides, it sometimes also grows in natural communities and forms a large basal rosette of leaves in the early stages of growth. In the USA it has been classified as a noxious weed in Colorado, Iowa, Missouri and New Mexico.
Its other names
Local names
Teasel; wild teasel, Fuller's teasel. France: cabaret des oiseaux; cardaire sauvage; cardère des bois; cardère sylvestre; chardon des forês. Germany: wilde Karde. Sweden: kardvädd.
Synonyms
D. fullonum.