Teasel  -  Dipsacaceae  (Teasel Family) Dipsacus  sylvestris Home       Plant Index      Photo Details  & Description     Utah Range Map

Photo Details August 1, 2004  - Rock Cliff Recreation Area, Wasatch County, Utah  - © Nicky Davis Characteristics Not native to North America, but was cultivated in Europe. Name derived from the ancient  (and  into this century)  use of the dried flower heads to "tease" or raise the nap of cloth. Preferred over metal tools since they break before tearing the cloth. Grows 2-6 feet tall. The stems are spiny, leaves are in pairs, lance-shaped with spiny midribs.  Can be found in fields, ditches. Biennial -  Blooms July-October Back to Top