One of my favourite subjects is Teasel, or Dipsacus fullonum if you want to get all fancy. This strange spiky plant grows everywhere around the local water management area (aka “pond”) near my home. According to ediblewildfood.com, Teasel is a biennial plant that is very distinct to identify. The first year plant only produces a rosette of leaves. The second year it can grow to almost 2.5 metres and has a unique flower head. This plant was originally brought to North America from Europe. Interestingly, an average teasel plant produces 3300 seeds that birds enjoy. Teasel is self-fertile and it is noted for attracting wildlife. And I just thought it had an interesting shape.
Here are some Summer teasel shots from 2017.
2 Responses to “Teasing out some Teasel shots”
You didn’t mention the origin of the name “Teasel” — I believe it has to do with their usefulness to comb wool, “teasing” the fibre in preparation for spinning. No wonder the plants were imported from Europe with the settlers…
–Bob.
Ah, but which came first, the plant name or the verb? (Apparently the verb did, as far as two minutes of research can tell.) – David