There has been considerable confusion in the past about the taxonomy for this species. We are following the treatment in 'Plants of the World Online' (http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319260-1), where this taxon is treated as the correct name for the wild species and Dipsacus sativus is the correct name for the cultivated form (http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319292-1).

Common Name: Teasel

General Information

Dipsacus fullonum is an erect, prickly biennial to short-lived perennial plant growing from a taproot. It produces a large basal rosette of leaves and a flowering stem up to 180cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Dipsacus fullonum has been introduced to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. Although mainly a weed of pastures and roadsides, it sometimes also grows in natural communities and forms a large basal rosette of leaves in the early stages of growth. This rosette can cover a large area and shade other ground-dwelling plants nearby. The plant is said to have spread rapidly throughout the United States except in the northern Great Plains, and it has been classified as a noxious weed in Colorado, Iowa, Missouri and New Mexico[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eurasia - Britain to Portugal, east to Russia (Transcaucasus).Turkey and Syria; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Habitat

Copses, stream banks, roadsides, rough pasture etc, especially on clay soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Dipsacus fullonum is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers clay[]. Prefers a deep rich soil[].
A good butterfly plant[].
This is the true wild species of teasel, its bracts are too flexible to be used for combing cloth[].
The flowering heads are much prized by flower arrangers because they keep their colour almost indefinitely when dried[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Teasel is little used in modern herbalism, and its therapeutic effects are disputed[]. Traditionally it has been used to treat conditions such as warts, fistulae (abnormal passages opening through the skin) and cancerous sores[].

The root is diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic[]. An infusion is said to strengthen the stomach, create an appetite, remove obstructions of the liver and treat jaundice[, ]. The root is harvested in early autumn and dried for later use[].

An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash to treat acne[].

The plant has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, an ointment made from the roots is used to treat warts, wens and whitlows[, ].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[]. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases[].

Other Uses

A blue dye obtained from the dried plant is an indigo substitute[]. It is water soluble[]. A yellow is obtained when the plant is mixed with alum[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in early spring in situ[]. The seed can also be sown from late winter to May or from August to early autumn. All but the earlier sowings can be made outdoors.