Ontario Wildflowers website

Teasel
Dipsacus fullonum

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) Other common names: Draper's Teasel, Wild Teasel

Other scientific names: Dipsacus sylvestris

French names: Cardère sauvage

Family: Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae), (Teasel Family (Dipsacaceae))

Similar species:
  •   Thistles - Teasel looks like it could be a Thistle but it is not.


Flowers: Summer;  Blue/Violet;  4 parts (petals)

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Simple, Toothed

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Lifespan: Biennial.  

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 160   

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Photographs: 106 photographs available, of which 12 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel flowers. Note how the flowers form a band that "travels up" the raceme.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Closeup view of Teasel flowers.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

An entire Teasel plant. They can grow up to perhaps 6 feet in height.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel flower buds are contained within this "bulb" at the top of the plant.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

A Teasel plant.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Spent flower raceme in winter. The prickles are still quick sharp and hard.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Basal rosette of Teasel leaves in April, before it sends up its flowering stalk. This basal rosette grew the year before, as Teasel is a biennial plant.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Stem leaves of Teasel.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel stem is covered with very hard and prickly thorns.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

A field of Teasel. This plant can sometimes be quite invasive in disturbed areas.


Range map for Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)