Cutleaf Teasel

(Dipsacus laciniatus L.)

Dipsacaceae (Teasel Family)

▲ seedling cutleaf teasel-- leaves have toothed margins similar to common teasel, but lack spiny bumps on top leaf surfaces

▲ young plant just before bolting showing deeper lobing on leaves

▲flowering cutleaf teasel

▲deeply lobed, opposite leaves on spiny stems of mature plant

▲ cutleaf teasel inflorescences with white flowers

▲ dried inflorescences persist on dead plants

 

Cutleaf Teasel:  (mentioned on p. 220, Weeds of the Northeast—not in Weeds of the Great Plains)

• a biennial weed from Europe with spiny stems and leaves that grows 2-9 feet tall

• leaves opposite, deeply lobed, clasping the stems

• flowers white in densely arranged in spiny, ovoid heads at the top of the plants

• inflorescence used in dried floral arrangements and had been used to comb wool and raise the nap on woven cloths

• can distinguish from common teasel by the lack of deep indentations on common teasel leaves, plus tiny flowers are purplish on common teasel