teasel

Teasel refers to plants in the genus Dipsacus, belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae. There are around 15 species of teasel native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. These herbaceous plants are often characterized by their spiny stems and distinctive flower heads. The flower heads are typically oval or cylindrical and are composed of numerous small, tubular florets that emerge from a spiny involucre. Common colors for the flowers include purple, pink, or white.

The name "teasel" is thought to derive from the plant's use in the textile industry. The dried flower heads, with their stiff, hooked bracts, were historically used to raise the nap on woollen cloth. This process, known as "teaseling," made the fabric softer and warmer. While mechanical teasels are now more common, wild teasel still features in some traditional textile production.

Many teasel species are biennial, meaning they complete their life cycle over two years. The first year, they produce a rosette of leaves, and the second year, they send up a flowering stalk. After flowering and setting seed, the plant dies. Some species can be considered weeds, particularly in disturbed habitats or where they are not native. Certain varieties are also cultivated for ornamental purposes in gardens, valued for their striking dried seed heads that provide winter interest and attract birds.