Friday, December 14, 2018


We see a lot of these around us during the fall and winter. They're there in summer, too, but they're more easily recognized (at least by me) after the leaves and flowers are gone.


Teasel is the English word for these cardères (dipsacus fullonum). I read that they are considered invasive plants in the US, but I don't remember seeing them there.


  1. The dry fruit [?] of this plant has been used for a long time to card wool. I'm wondering if the action to card wool comes from the name of the plant in French cardère or if the plant was named after the carders use in the process?

  2. I recognize the plant but this has prompted me to look up the name and do some reading. Be careful, Walt -- one article suggests that teasel is carnivorous.
    Your gingerbread men looked quite tasty. One year, friends in NY used assorted nuts and berries to make theirs anatomically correct. LOL

  3. chm, I did read that. Your guess is as good as mine!

    emm, triffids! And, I've seen some pretty racy gingerbread men on the internet...

  4. I do remember them from years back.

  5. That looks like a Cut Leaved Teasel ... we have a solid stalk variety here in the Louisiana... they can be very invasive .. the general method of control is to mow the plant down before it flowers.. here in the deep deep South


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