Dipsacus fullonum ssp. sylvestris (Fuller's teasel)

[stevebradford]

Fuller’s Teasel is possibly a carnivourous plant or protocarnivourous but only when it’s growing a flower stalk in its second year. It has cupped leaves that hold water around the stem like a moat. Bugs drown and are absorbed in a pool of water that might also might serve other purposes. It’s possible the wells are also for keeping leaf eating bugs from ascending the plant. It is a weed found in disturbed soils alongside roads and construction sites growing in full sun. Found this one growing right out back of my house.

Leaves holding water

Dead bugs and debris in a old dry well

 

[stevebradford]

It’s teasel season.

Managed to catch it in flower this year. Interestingly the head doesn’t all flower at once it flowers in a ascending ring from the bottom to the top.

Drowning ant and drowned fly in this well.

 

[stevebradford]

Some fall shots. If anyone for some reason wants invasive weedy seeds i can grab lots.

 

[stevebradford]

Humans have an interesting history with this plant and sheep’s wool. Fuller’s teasel seed pods were traditionally used for teasing the wool fibers out of knitted wool for extra warmth. Trust me It makes a huge difference on my winter ice fishing trips! Wool even still being still one of the best fibres to wear in the extreme cold, now it’s teased out with steel combs.

 

[Hal]

We have some on a patch of meadow where a barn used to sit.
Every fall I collect the heads for someone or other.
I had no idea they might be carnivorous.

 

[Sparrow]

Humans have an interesting history with this plant and sheep’s wool. Fuller’s teasel seed pods were traditionally used for teasing the wool fibers out of knitted wool for extra warmth. Trust me It makes a huge difference on my winter ice fishing trips! Wool even still being still one of the best fibres to wear in the extreme cold, now it’s teased out with steel combs.
View attachment 11878
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That's a happy man with some warm feet!
I was obsessed with Qiviut wool for a bit. From a Muskox.
Such a cool animal.

 

[Sparrow]

Teasel in my front yard.

 

[stevebradford]

Protocarnivourous or an evolutionary defence to protect the flower from leaf eating bugs, the water traps work.

Stink bug

Aphids and other leaf eating bugs

 

[stevebradford]

 

[DaniL]

Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but as interesting as these are, they’re categorized as a regional containment species by the invasive species council of BC (and possibly other parts of Canada, I just know BC). That means they have a high risk of becoming invasive and shouldn’t be spread around. They choke out other plants.

Teasel - Invasive Species Council of British Columbia

Teasel (Wild teasel) is a biennial plant with spiny, cone-shaped seed heads, small pink flowers and long thin leaves. It prefers sunny locations and can grow in a range of wet to dry soils. Spreading through seed dispersal, it typically invades meadows, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas.

bcinvasives.ca

.

 

[stevebradford]

Pretty sure we been fully invaded long ago, endemic now. But Teasel only grows in disturbed sites that have be altered by man. Competing with other invaders alongside roads and farm hedge rows until natures balance returns.