Dipsacus
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Dipsacus is a genus of flowering plant in the family Dipsacaceae. Many of the members of this genus are known as teasels, and some of them formerly were cultivars, providing a natural comb for textile production.
This genus is native to Eurasia and Africa, but has been naturalized in other locations, partly due to the import of the cultivar or by being mixed with crop seeds. Currently the unwanted spread of these plants is attributed to mowing, which moves their seeds to new locations.
The genus name is derived from the word for thirst and refers to the cup-like formation made where sessile leaves merge at the stem. Rain water can collect in this receptacle.
This is an easily identified plant with its prickly stem and leaves and the inflorescence of blue or lavender flowers that form a head on the end of the stem(s). The flowers begin blooming as a belt around the sperical or oval head and move toward the poles, forming two belts as they move. The dried head persists afterwards.
Some Dipsacus species
- Dipsacus ferox -- Spiney Teasel
- Dipsacus fullonum -- Teasel, Common Teasel, Fuller's Teasel, Venuscup Teasel.
- Dipsacus fullonum fullonum
- Dipsacus fullonum sylvestris This is the species used for textile manufacture.
- Dipsacus japonica -- Japanese Teasel, Chinese Teasel
- Dipsacus laciniatus -- Cut-leaf Teasel
- Dipsacus pilosus -- Bristled Teasel
- Dipsacus sativa -- Honckeny's Teasel, Indian Teasel, Weaver's Teasel. Some call this the wild version of Dipsacus fullonum
- Dipsacus sylvestris (or sylvester) -- Fuller's Teasel, Wild Teasel. Now listed as the wild sub-species of Dipsacus fullonum
- Dipsacus strygosus -- Slim Teasel, Small Teaselde:Karden