Wild Flower Napping (Fuller’s) Teasel Dipsacus sativus Seeds

Wild Flower – Napping (Fuller’s) Teasel – Dipsacus Sativus

Fuller’s Teasel Napping is a cultivated form of wild teasel occasionally found as an escape from cultivation or as a bird-seed alien on waste ground, railway sidings and tips. It was formerly cultivated for use in raising the nap of woollen cloth after fulling and is still grown for that purpose in Somerset. The shape of the head and straight spines distinguish it from wild teasel. Teasel flowers are popular sources of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Teasel fruits prolifically, its persistent seed heads attract goldfinches.

They seed freely they can spread, even into lawns. They are best planted in a corner where they can be contained. Cut back and remove plants which may cause trouble before the seed matures. Being biennial the plants only live a few years and will fade away if they are denied a chance to seed.