Common Teasel

Dipsacus fullonum

Found in roadsides, pastures, disturbed areas. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

-30

Harmful

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 53%

Height: Fuller's teasel and cutleaf teasel are robust, prickly, monocarpic perennials that can reach 7 to 10 feet tall [32,48,64,89].
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

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Do not plant. Listed invasive in Virginia.

At a glance

Life cycle: Biennial
Bloom: July to September
Fruiting season: September to October

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Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 56 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Dipsacus

Papaipema arctivorensNorthern Burdock Borer Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Dipsacus

Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail

Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Dipsacaceae
Fruit begins: September
Fruit ends: October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “July to September” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Fruit begins · “September” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Fruit ends · “October” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Height · “Fuller's teasel and cutleaf teasel are robust, prickly, monocarpic perennials that can reach 7 to 10 feet (2-3 m) tall [32,48,64,89].” · Fire Effects Information System: Dipsacus fullonum (ranked first; Minnesota Wildflowers differs) · Source botanical description; original units and scope retained
Life cycle · “Biennial” · Minnesota Wildflowers
Light · “Full sun (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia

Also known as

Dipsacus sylvestris; Fullers Teasel; Teasel; Wild Teasel

Conservation status

Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden