Cutleaf Teasel is a flowering plant in the Honeysuckle family. It’s native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America in the early 1700’s. And yes, it is an invasive weed. It’s biennial’ it’s first year is spent as a basal rosette, then grows a two-to-eight-foot flowering stem. Stems are prickly and branch near the top. The rosette leaves are puckered with scalloped edges; leaves are opposite and lobed. White flowers are very small covering the cone shaped head.  But, even though it’s considered invasive, it has a significant role in supporting biodiversity. Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The seeds serve as food for our winter birds. Its spiky structure offers shelter for small wildlife and insects. It has a deep root system that helps prevent soil erosion stabilizing the ground and water retention.

Historically. Cutleaf Teasel was used in wool processing. It was ideal for teasing and aligning wool fibers before spinning, which was called “teaseling.” I wonder if that’s where “teasing” came from.

Its stems and fibers were used in basketry, crafts and dye production. The spikey stalks with its cone shaped flower head make a wonderful addition to flower arrangements and floral crafts.

Cutleaf Teasel is a multifunctional plant used in medicine, ecology, textiles, crafts and garden design.

Common Teasel (Dipacus fullonum) is similar but has lavender flowers and doesn’t have lobed leaves. I have both growing on my property.

Happy weeding,

Kandy Riley, Clermont County Master Garden Volunteer

Specializing in Advanced Weed/Herb Identification