A native of Europe, Teasel is often seen in horticultural planting and dried flower arrangements. Teasel has a stout taproot that may be over two feet deep and 1 inch in diameter at the crown. Plant stems are rigid and can reach heights of up to 6 feet with several rows of downward-facing prickles. Adult plants have large, oblong, opposite, sessile leaves that are prickly, especially on the lower midrib. Flowers are small, generally purple, and tightly packed in oval-shaped heads. The flowers are subtended by stiff, spiny bracts that are terminally on the flowering stems.

Monocarpic Perennial

By seed, single plants can produce over 2,000 seeds and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 2 years.

Teasel usually grows in open, sunny areas on a range of wet to dry soils. It can usually be found on prairies, savannahs, meadows, and roadsides. Teasel is an aggressive exotic that forms extensive monocultures.

Williams Lake (isolated site)