PlantFiles: Cut-leaved Teasel
Dipsacus laciniatus

I got 2 of these plants from a friend of mine last summer. They are invasive, grow to 8 feet, perennial in zone 5-a and even further North. I readily seeds itself. The stalk is 1 1/2 inch in diameter at the base. The bottom leaves are 16 to 20 inches long and about 6 inches wide. I am told the plant is biannual.

The first year, the seedling develops a few leaves and they only grow to about 10 to 12 inches in height; the plant is busy establishing a tap root. The second year, the plant grown to 8 feet and produces cylindrical burrs. They produce a creamy white bloom, which turn into a great amount of black seeds. The birds love those.

The plant's stem and the leaves' underside feature prickly spines which make handling tricky but not impossible. It is best to leave the plant to its own devices.

Mine grow in clay soil, in full sun. They are drought resistant but will thrive in a well irrigated bed.