View source for Dipsacus

{{short description|Genus of flowering plants in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae}}
{{Redirect-distinguish-text|Teasle|[[thistle]], also a tall prickly plant}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image = Dipsacus fullonum1.jpg
|image_caption = ''[[Dipsacus fullonum]]''
|taxon = Dipsacus
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|subdivision = See text
}}

'''''Dipsacus''''' is a [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]] in the family [[Caprifoliaceae]].<ref>{{citation |title=''Dipsacus'' |work=The Plant List (version 1.1) |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Caprifoliaceae/Dipsacus/ |access-date=2014-09-19 }}</ref> The members of this genus are known as '''teasel''', '''teazel''' or '''teazle'''. The genus includes about 15 species of tall [[herbaceous]] [[biennial plant]]s (rarely short-lived [[perennial plant]]s) growing to {{convert|1|-|2.5|m|ft}} tall. ''Dipsacus'' species are native to [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and northern [[Africa]].

==Etymology==

The genus name (''Dipsacus'') is derived from the Greek word for thirst (''dipsa'') and refers to the cup-like formation made where [[Sessility (botany)|sessile]] leaves merge at the stem.<ref>{{citation| work = A New Universal Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Language: Embracing All the Terms Used in Art, Science and Literature | volume = 1 | first = John | last = Craig | year = 1847 | title = Dipsacus }}</ref><ref>{{citation| url = https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dipsacus| title = Dipsacus| work = www.merriam-webster.com }}</ref>

The name ''teasel'' derives from words such as Old English ''tǣsl'', ''tǣsel''; relating to the verb "to tease" – the dried heads of the plant were once used in the textile industry to raise the nap on woolen cloth.<ref>{{citation| url = https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/teasel| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092744/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/teasel| archive-date = December 31, 2018| title = teasel | work = en.oxforddictionaries.com }}</ref>

==Description==
Teasels are easily identified with their prickly stem and leaves, and the [[inflorescence]] of purple, dark pink, lavender or white [[flower]]s that form a head on the end of the stem(s). The inflorescence is ovoid, {{Convert|4|–|10|cm|in}} long and {{Convert|3|–|5|cm|in}} broad, with a basal whorl of spiny [[bract]]s. The first flowers begin opening in a belt around the middle of the spherical or oval flowerhead, and then open sequentially toward the top and bottom, forming two narrow belts as the flowering progresses. The dried head persists afterwards, with the small ({{Convert|4|–|6|mm|in|adj=on}}) [[seed]]s maturing in mid autumn. In rainy weather, some seeds may germinate when still in the seedhead ([[vivipary]]).

[[File:Dipsacus-fullonum-Teasel-seedhead-w-viviparous-germination-PortSunlightRiverPark-UK-23Oct2019.jpg|thumb|Infructescence of ''Dipsacus fullonum'' (common teasel) showing seeds germinating while still in infructescence (vivipary).]]

===Carnivory===
[[Carnivorous plant|Carnivory]] in teasels was discussed by [[Francis Darwin]] (son of [[Charles Darwin]]) in a paper held by the [[Royal Society]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=Dipsacus and Drosera: Frank's favourite carnivores |url=https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/commentary/life-sciences/dipsacus-and-drosera-frank-s-favourite-carnivores |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Darwin Correspondence Project |language=en}}</ref><ref>Mentioned in episode of {{Citation|last=Objectivity|title=White Gloves of Destiny (Random Researcher) - Objectivity #72|date=2016-05-31|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wms6s2AWcbk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/wms6s2AWcbk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2016-05-31}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Rain water can collect in the cup-like receptacles that form where sessile leaves join the stem; this structure may perform the function of preventing sap-sucking [[insect]]s such as [[aphid]]s from climbing the stem. These receptacles in turn may also be used to collect the [[nutrients]] from any animal matter that accumulates within them, making them a form of [[protocarnivorous plant]].

Contemporary attempts to replicate Darwin's experiments on the common teasel continue to fuel debate over whether or not ''Dipsacus'' is truly carnivorous. A 2011 study revealed increased seed production (but not height) dependent on both amount and nature of introduced animal supplementation, while 2019 experiments suggested that the increased seed set was a response to poor soil conditions rather than proof of proto-carnivory.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Shaw|first1=P. J. A.|last2=Shackleton|first2=K.|editor1-last=Joly|editor1-first=Simon|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0017935|title=Carnivory in the teasel ''Dipsacus fullonum'' — the effect of experimental feeding on growth and seed set|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=6|issue=3|article-number=e17935|year=2011|pmid=21445274|pmc=3060873|bibcode=2011PLoSO...617935S|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>Krupa, James J., and J. Matthew Thomas. "Is the Common Teasel (''Dipsacus Fullonum'') Carnivorous or Was Francis Darwin Wrong?" ''Botany'' 97, no. 6 (March 22, 2019): 321–28. {{Doi|10.1139/cjb-2019-0008}}.
</ref> The [[leaf shape]] is lanceolate, {{convert|20|-|40|cm|in}} long and {{convert|3|–|6|cm|in}} broad, with a row of small spines on the underside of the midrib.

===As food===
The seeds are an important winter food resource for some [[bird]]s, notably the [[European goldfinch]]. Teasels are often grown in [[garden]]s and encouraged on some [[nature reserve]]s to attract them.<ref>
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goldfinch/garden.aspx
|title=Advice from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on how to attract Goldfinch to your garden with teasel
|access-date=October 16, 2011
}}</ref>

===As an invasive species===
[[Image:Dipsacus laciniatus.JPG|thumb|right|A stand of cut-leaved teasel]]

Teasel is considered an [[invasive species]] in the United States. It is known to form a monoculture, capable of crowding out all native plant species, and therefore is discouraged or eliminated within restored open lands and other conservation areas.<ref>
{{Cite web
|url=https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/common-teasel
|title=Invasive Species: Plants – Common Teasel (''Dipsacus fullonum'')
|access-date=October 16, 2011
}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite web
 |url=http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/teasel_com.htm 
 |title=Invasive Species – Common Teasel (''Dipsacus fullonum'' subsp. ''sylvestris'') 
 |access-date=October 16, 2011 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112171202/http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/teasel_com.htm 
 |archive-date=November 12, 2011 
}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite web
 |url         = http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/plant-management/invasive-plant-management/cut-leaved-and-common-teasel
 |title        = Common and Cut-Leaved Teasel Control
 |access-date  = October 16, 2011
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110712184815/http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/plant-management/invasive-plant-management/cut-leaved-and-common-teasel
 |archive-date = July 12, 2011
}}</ref> Two moths useful for [[biological control]] were tested in [[Slovakia]] in 2003–2004, including the [[monophagous]] ''[[Endothenia gentianaeana]]'', but the USDA has not approved either of them for introduction as of February 2018. Instead, the USDA continues to suggest the use of herbicidal chemicals.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sforza |first1=R. |last2=Bon |first2=M. C. |date=2008 |title=Proceedings of the XII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c_cCwli1NQcC&q=%22biological+control%22+teasel&pg=PA216 |publisher=CAB International |pages=216–218 |isbn=978-1-84593-506-1 }}</ref>

== Species ==
{{As of|2023|June}}, [[Plants of the World Online]] accepted the following species:<ref name=POWO_14309-1>{{Cite POWO|title=''Dipsacus'' L..|id=14309-1|access-date=2023-06-09|mode=cs1}}</ref>
{{Div col}}
*''[[Dipsacus asper]]'' <small>Wall. ex DC.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus atratus]]'' <small>Hook.f. & Thomson ex C.B.Clarke</small>
*''[[Dipsacus atropurpureus]]'' <small>C.Y.Cheng & Z.T.Yin</small>
*''[[Dipsacus azureus]]'' <small>Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus cephalarioides]]'' <small>V.A.Matthews & Kupicha</small>
*''[[Dipsacus chinensis]]'' <small>Batalin</small>
*''[[Dipsacus comosus]]'' <small>Hoffmanns. & Link</small>
*''[[Dipsacus ferox]]'' <small>Loisel.</small> – spiny teasel
*''[[Dipsacus fullonum]]'' <small>L.</small> – wild teasel, common teasel, fuller's teasel
*''[[Dipsacus gmelinii]]'' <small>M.Bieb.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus inermis]]'' <small>Wall.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus japonicus]]'' <small>Miq.</small> – Japanese teasel, Chinese teasel
*''[[Dipsacus laciniatus]]'' <small>L.</small> – cut-leaved teasel<!-- BiolConserv137:248. -->
*''[[Dipsacus leschenaultii]]'' <small>Coult. ex DC.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus narcisseanus]]'' <small>Lawalrée</small>
*''[[Dipsacus pilosus]]'' <small>L.</small>
*''[[Dipsacus pinnatifidus]]'' <small>Steud. ex A.Rich.</small>
*[[Dipsacus × pseudosylvestris|''Dipsacus'' × ''pseudosylvestris'']] <small>Schur</small>
*''[[Dipsacus sativus]]'' <small>(L.) Honck.</small> – fuller's teasel (cultivated form)
*''[[Dipsacus strigosus]]'' <small>Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.</small> – slim teasel
*''[[Dipsacus valsecchii]]'' <small>Camarda</small>
*''[[Dipsacus walkeri]]'' <small>Arn.</small>
{{div col end}}

{{Gallery
| title  = Flowerheads
| width  = 160
| height = 140
| align  = center
|File:Fleur 9 - VTdJ.JPG|alt1=Dipsacus fullonum flowerhead|''Dipsacus fullonum''
|File:Dipsacus laciniatus inflorescence.jpg|alt2=Dipsacus laciniatus flowerhead|''Dipsacus laciniatus''
|File:Dipsacus pilosus01.jpg|alt3=Dipsacus pilosus flowerhead|''Dipsacus pilosus''
|File:Dipsacus sativus-17.jpg|alt4=Dipsacus sativus flowerhead|''Dipsacus sativus''
|File:Teaselhead2155.JPG|alt5=Dipsacus fullonum, dried head|Wild teasel, dried head, Cayuga Heights, New York
}}

==Cultivation and uses==
[[Image:Dipsacus fullonum MHNT.BOT.2005.0.269.jpg|thumb|right|Teasel combs]]

Since Roman times, [[Fuller's teasel]] (the [[cultivar|cultivar group]] ''Dipsacus fullonum'' Sativus Group; syn. ''D. sativus'') was widely used in [[textile]] processing, as it provides a natural [[comb]] for cleaning, aligning and [[nap (textile)|raising the nap]] on fabrics, particularly [[wool]] (i.e. '[[fulling]]').<ref>"Teasel." ''The Oxford English Dictionary''. 2nd ed. 1989.</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Teasel |url=https://www.britannica.com/plant/teasel#ref237645 |date=24 May 2019 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=11 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The product of the teasing process is called [[teased wool]]. The cultivar differs from the wild type in having stouter, somewhat recurved spines on the seed heads. The dried flower heads were attached to spindles, wheels, or cylinders, sometimes called teasel frames, to raise the nap on fabrics (that is, to tease the fibres).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://trowbridgemuseum.co.uk/raising-shearing-and-pressing/|title=Teasel Handles and Teasel Gigs in the Trowbridge Museum|access-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208185353/http://trowbridgemuseum.co.uk/raising-shearing-and-pressing/|archive-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> By the 20th century, teasels had been largely replaced by metal [[carding|cards]], which can be made uniformly and do not require constant replacement as the teasel heads wear. However, some people who weave wool still prefer to use teasels for raising the nap,{{citation needed|reason=Who are the persons who prefer teasel for raising the nap? |date=January 2016}} claiming that the result is better; in particular, if a teasel meets serious resistance in the fabric, it will break, whereas a metal tool will rip the cloth.

[[Image:Dipsacus_sativus_MHNT.BOT.2016.24.75.jpg|thumb|left|Dried teasel flower head, used to raise the [[nap (textile)|nap]] on cloth]]

[[Image:Teasel (24585488046).jpg|thumb|right|Teasel growing in the [[wild garden]] of [[Corpus Christi College, Oxford]]]]

Teasels are also occasionally grown as [[ornamental plant]]s, and the dried heads are used in [[floristry]].

Teasels have been naturalised in many regions away from their native range, partly due to the import of fuller's teasel for textile processing, and partly by the seed being a contaminant mixed with crop seeds.

Common teasel (''Dipsacus fullonum'') and cut-leaved teasel (''Dipsacus laciniatus'') have both been observed as invasive species in the United States. Common is more widespread, but cut-leaved is more aggressive.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

Due to the chemical [[dipsacus saponin C]], ''Dipsacus asper'' has medically significant procoagulant properties, likely due to [[Calcium channel|an increase of intracellular calcium]], and [[apoptosis]] of [[mitochondria]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Procoagulant and prothrombotic effects of the herbal medicine, ''Dipsacus asper'' and its active ingredient, dipsacus saponin C, on human platelets.|vauthors=Song JS, Lim KM, Kang S, Noh JY, Kim K, Bae ON, Chung JH|journal=Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis|pmid=22405282|date= May 10, 2012|doi=10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04685.x|volume=10|issue=5|pages=895–906|s2cid=13255477|doi-access=free}}</ref> This presents a considerable risk to the average user but may be beneficial in certain circumstances.<ref>{{cite web|title= Procoagulant Therapy for Bleeding Associated with Acquired Bleeding Disorders Adult Inpatient Clinical Practice Guideline | url=http://www.uwhealth.org/files/uwhealth/docs/anticoagulation/Procoagulant_Guideline.pdf| author=UW Health}}</ref>

== Phytochemistry ==
Ethanol extracts of ''[[Dipsacus asper]]'' contain phenolic acids including caffeic acid, 2,6-dihydroxycinnamic acid, vanillic acid, 2′-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranoside ester, and caffeoylquinic acid, iridoid glucosides, triterpenoids oleanic acid and akebiasaponin D.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Tian|first1=XY|title=On the chemical constituents of ''Dipsacus asper''|pmid=18057739|volume=55|issue=12|journal=Chem Pharm Bull|pages=1677–81|doi=10.1248/cpb.55.1677|year=2007|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline}}

{{CarnivorousPlants}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q161946}}

[[Category:Caprifoliaceae]]
[[Category:Caprifoliaceae genera]]