The Teasel

The Teasel

Dipsacus fullonum

These statuesque, brown, oval, spiky seedheads are a regular sight at this time of year, found in all types of habitat from farmland to waste ground

A striking wildflower, Teasel is actually a member of the honeysuckle family. In the Summer its heads are covered by tightly packed purple flowers much loved by bees. In the Autumn and Winter months it is a major food source for Goldfinches

Another name for Teasel is ‘brushes and combs’, which comes from the practice in 19th century when the dried heads of Teasel were used in the textile industry. Cloth makers utilised the seed heads when brushing cloth to raise the nap of the fabric and also to comb wool for spinning. It was this method of teasing the fabric that gave this plant its common name of Teasel

In folklore The Teasel plant was believed to be the drinking fountain of fairies and that the water collected in its leaves contained magical powers. The leaves of the Teasel plant meet its stem in such a way that they collect and create mini reservoirs of rainwater inspiring such romantic tales

Candida Hopkinson