Could i have ID for this please

gobbiner · #1 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:11 PM

Thank you

Dorts · #2 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:18 PM

Hi gobbiner. It's the seed-head of a Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). Birds love it for the seeds it provides in the winter months.
Dorts.

Gill Catton · #3 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:30 PM

Yes teasel. I planted some in my garden, very pretty I think.

Ladywell · #4 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:32 PM

Yes - teasel - goldfinches love them!! Seed one year and produce seed heads the next. Sure someone more knowledgeable will expand on this!

Ladywell · #5 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:33 PM

Oops!! Correction to previous post - produce seed heads in second year! Sorry.

gobbiner · #6 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:36 PM

Thank you to you all...Ray

Dorts · #7 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladywell

Yes - teasel - goldfinches love them!! Seed one year and produce seed heads the next. Sure someone more knowledgeable will expand on this!

Yes, Teasel, like Foxgloves and Mullein for example, are biennials. That is they take two years to complete their biological lifecycle. Germinating from a seed and producing a rosette of leaves in the first year, and a flowering stem followed by seeds in the second year. Then they die.
Dorts.

Wild-Woman · #8 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:42 PM

In history they were used for raising the nap on wool.

Gill Catton · #9 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 04:46 PM

Something I've always wondered about is the structure of the leaves which often form a 'cup' around the stem which collects and holds water. And I wonder why it has evolved to have this.