Teasel

Common teasel Dipsacus fullonum L. Teasel family
Key identifying traits Large club-like flower heads in second year of life cycle; heads are over 2 inches long, spiny and loosely enclosed in cage-like bracts Numerous tiny purple flowers in circular rows around the flower heads Large upright stems have vertical ribs and several rows of downward turned prickles; stout plant skeletons often remain erect through the winter Rosette leaves are wrinkled and oval with prickles on the lower midrib first year; second year leaves are more lance like, conspicuously veined and also have prickles on the lower midrib Leaves of flowering plants form cups that may hold water Biology and ecology A tap-rooted biennial growing to 6 feet tall Prefers and spreads rapidly in moist sites Upper stems and flower heads often used in dried plant displays Native to Europe now widespread in the US Flowering occurs from July to August Not suitable for grazing Control Prevention – Learn to identify plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt and spread through dried flower arrangements Biological – None known at this time Cultural – Healthy vegetative cover helps reduce likelihood of establishment but doesn’t stop it Mechanical – Cutting, digging and cultivation work if repeated enough to eliminate seed production Chemical – Several effective at label rates if applied to rosettes or early season growth in second year, but control is difficult later in growth cycle; refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations	rosette
	Stephen L. Solheim
	dried seed head
	bolting stalk
*Where found –* Widely distributed in Stevens County particularly in moist sites that are not tilled regularly such as in pastures and along streams. It is moving into drier sites as well. MSdoc PDF