Dipsacus fullonum ssp. sylvestris (Fuller's teasel)

stevebradford

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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.

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Leaves holding water
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Dead bugs and debris in a old dry well
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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.
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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.
 
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.
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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.
 
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.
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