Dipsacus fullonum
Wild teasel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Dipsacales |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Genus: | Dipsacus |
Species: | D. fullonum
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Binomial name | |
Dipsacus fullonum | |
Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Dipsacus fullonum, syn. Dipsacus sylvestris, is a species of flowering plant known by the common names wild teasel or fuller's teasel, although the latter name is usually applied to the cultivated variety D. fullonum var. sativus.[2] It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it is known in the Americas, southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand as an introduced species.
It is a
Description
The genus name is derived from the word for thirst and refers to the cup-like formation made where
Teasels are easily identified with their prickly stem and leaves, and the inflorescence of purple, dark pink or lavender flowers that form a head on the end of the stem(s). The inflorescence is ovoid, 4–10 centimetres (1.6–3.9 in) long and 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) broad, with a basal whorl of spiny bracts. The first flowers begin opening in a belt around the middle of the spherical or oval flowerhead, and then open sequentially toward the top and bottom, forming two narrow belts as the flowering progresses. The dried head persists afterwards, with the small (4–6 millimetres or 0.16–0.24 inches) seeds maturing in mid-autumn.
Carnivory in teasels was discussed by Francis Darwin (son of Charles Darwin) in a paper held by the Royal Society.[3][4] Contemporary attempts to replicate Darwin's experiments on the common teasel continue to fuel debate over whether or not Dipsacus is truly carnivorous. A 2011 study revealed increased seed production (but not height) dependent on both amount and nature of introduced animal supplementation, while 2019 experiments suggested that the increased seed set was a response to poor soil conditions rather than proof of proto-carnivory.[5][6]
Ecology
The seeds are an important winter food resource for some birds, notably the European goldfinch. Teasels are often grown in gardens and encouraged on some nature reserves to attract them.[7]
Cultivation and uses
The
Teasels are also occasionally grown as ornamental plants, and the dried heads are used in floristry.
Teasels have been naturalised in many regions away from their native range, partly due to the import of fuller's teasel for textile processing, and partly by the seed being a contaminant mixed with crop seeds. It can sometimes become a noxious weed outside its native range. It forms large monocultures (displacing other species) in areas it invades that have favourable climates and none of the species which feed upon it in its native range.
Two moths potentially useful for
Gallery
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Teasel comb
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Dried teasel flower heads, used to raise thenapon cloth
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Teasel leaves after flower stem development, high on stem
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Teasel seedling
References
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ Schaefer, John. “Dipsacus and Drosera: Frank’s Favourite Carnivores.” Darwin Correspondence Project. November 27, 2020. https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/commentary/life-sciences/dipsacus-and-drosera-frank-s-favourite-carnivores.
- ^ Mentioned in episode of Objectivity (2016-05-31), White Gloves of Destiny (Random Researcher) - Objectivity #72, archived from the original on 2021-12-22, retrieved 2016-05-31
- PMID 21445274.
- ^ Krupa, James J., and J. Matthew Thomas. “Is the Common Teasel (Dipsacus Fullonum) Carnivorous or Was Francis Darwin Wrong?” Botany 97, no. 6 (March 22, 2019): 321–28. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2019-0008.
- ^ "Advice from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on how to attract Goldfinch to your garden with teasel". Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- ^ "Teasel." The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1989.
- ^ "Teasel". Encyclopedia Britannica. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Teasel Handles and Teasel Gigs in the Trowbridge Museum". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-84593-506-1.
External links
- Species Profile- Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for common teasel.
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Virginia Tech Weed Guide Archived 2019-08-21 at the Wayback Machine
- Photo gallery