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Small Teasel Dipsacus pilosus 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts BirdsBirds are attracted to this plant
Biennial Life CycleBiennial life cycle
Tubular FlowersTubular flowers
White FlowersWhite flowers
4 Petals4 petals
Jul-Sep Flowering
period
Elongated LeavesElongated leaves
Toothed LeavesToothed leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Tap RootTap root
120cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Small Teasel

© 2020-2025 Adrian Briggs

 

Small Teasel is a native biennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland edges and damp shady areas, to a mature height of up to 120cm.

The Small Teasel is a tall spiny-stemmed plant which bears spiky teasel heads after flowering. The term 'small' in the name refers to the plant's small spherical flowerheads, rather than the its height. The presence of established Small Teasel can be an indicator of ancient woodland.

Botanic classification and naming: Small Teasel is a member of the Teasel (Dipsacaceae) family. The genus name 'Dipsacus' identifies the plant as a Teasel and its species name 'pilosus' means 'shaggy'.

Benefits: Attracts seed-eating birds.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Small Teasel

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Small Teasel usually flowers between July and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour White

White

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Tubular

Tubular

Petals:

Petal Number =  4

4

Leaf of Small Teasel

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Elongated

Elongated

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is toothed

toothed

Stem of Small Teasel

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap