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Common teasel flower. Photo Credit: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org -
Common teasel leaf. Photo Credit: Bruce Ackley, Ohio State University, Bugwood.org -
Common teasel rosette. -
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Common teasel infestation. Photo Credit: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
Also known as: teasel, venuscup teasel, wild teasel
Common teasel is a prickly weed that appears to have tentacles surrounding its flowerheads. It grows as a rosette during its first year, then produces a flowering stem the following spring before dying. It grows a large taproot that can be almost 2 feet (0.6 meters) long!
For a more detailed description, download the Common Teasel Best Management Practices factsheet.
Description:
| Life Cycle: | Biennial (life cycle lasts two years) |
| Early Detection and Rapid Response species: | No |
| Height: | Up to 7 feet (2 meters) tall |
| Leaf Description: | Leaves are lance-shaped with wavy edges. They typically die off early in the plant’s second year. |
| Flower Description: | Prickly, dark pink to pale purple flowers grow at the end of leafless stems during the second year. They have spiny bractsBracts Leaf-like structures below a plant’s flower. under the flowerhead that curve upward and extend above the flowerhead. |
| Bloom Time: | April to September |
How it spreads:
- Teasel largely spreads by human disturbance. Mowing equipment, clothing, or contaminated soil can move seeds to new areas.
- Seeds also spread by floating downstream or by hitching a ride on animal fur.
Habitat:
- Common teasel grows along roads, abandoned fields, ponds and waterways. It also grows into agricultural areas, including pastures and fallowFallow Farmland that is not currently in production. fields.
- It prefers open areas with sunny conditions and can survive in a range of soils from wet to dry.
Impact:
- Common teasel forms dense stands where it outcompetes native grasses and crops.
- Large populations are difficult to control because each plant grows a deep taproot and can produce over 30,000 seeds.
What you can do about it:
- Manual: Mowing is not recommended. Mowing alone does not control the plant and may spread seeds around the site or to new areas.
- Hand pulling or digging is recommended. Make sure to remove as much of the taproot as possible to prevent resprouting.
- Cut flowering stalks to prevent it from producing seeds. It’s important to prune the stalks after flowering has started, or flowering stalks will regrow.
- Disposed all plant material in a tied plastic bag in the trash— not yard debris.
- Cultural: After removing common teasel, make sure to plant the area with competitive native grasses, forbs, and other desirable plants to reduce the chance of regrowth.
Look-alikes:
Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) and fuller’s teasel (Dipsacus sativus) are similar to common teasel. Both of these look-alikes have white flowers and their spiny bracts underneath the flowerheads.
Noxious Weed Listing:
| State of Oregon: | Not Listed |
| State of Washington: | Class C |
More Resources:
- Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook: Common teasel
- University of California, Weed Research & Information Center: Common teasel