common teasel

Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is a prickly, biennial plant belonging to the honeysuckle family, native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and tropical Africa. These plants are sometimes cultivated for ornamental purposes or to attract birds.1

Key characteristics of teasels include:
* Leaves: Opposite leaves that form a rainwater-holding trough around the stem.
* Flowers: Tall, dome-shaped heads with numerous four-lobed flowers, surrounded by spiny bracts. Male parts mature before female parts to facilitate cross-pollination.
* Seeds: An important food source for birds.

While related species like Fuller's teasel (Dipsacus sativus) have hooked bracts historically used in the woolen industry for fulling, common teasel's upright bracts are not suitable for this process. Consequently, common teasel is often considered a weed in Europe and North America.12