CITY AND COUNTY OF BROOMFIELD PARK OPERATIONS
NOXIOUS WEED IDENTIFICATION
COMMON TEASEL, Dipsacus fullonum and Dipsacus lacinitatus, L
Characteristics:
Family: Dipsacaceae (Teasel Family)
Origin: Europe
Description:
- Biennial
- Stout, erect, tall (~6 ft. or more) with large taproot
- Reproduces by seeds
- Unique 2 inch spine tipped flowers, with unusually flowering patterns
- Bract-like protrusion from the base of the flower head, which is often longer than the length of the head
Stems:
- Branching occurs off erect stems
- Stem is covered with short prickles angling toward the ground
Flowers:
- Lavender in the case of sp. fullonum, lacinitatus has white flowers
- Flowers emerge midway up flower head and then progress both to tip and base, forming rings, like those around Saturn
- Bloom occurs June-August
- Seeds are produced late summer into the fall
Leaves:
- Prickly basal leaves form a wrinkly rosette the first year of growth, and are usually dead or dying by the second year of growth
- Stem leaves are lance shaped up to 10 inches long and occur opposite along the stem, and are fused at the base
Location:
Teasel likes water so it is often found along ditches, ponds, marshes, and in disturbed areas. Dried flower heads are used in wreaths and in dried floral arrangements. Historically, dried Teasel was used to tease, or comb up the knap of woolen fabric. It was a prized cash crop for European farmers who had to guard their teasel crop from thieves. It came into the U.S. and was first discovered in Upper New York, and it was also planted by the same family members who settled in Oregon.