Teasels are native plants of Europe and northern Africa and were introduced to the United States by early settlers.Though the common teasel species is very useful as a medicine, tonic, and balm, it is a very invasive noxious weed and has no nutritional value, making out-of-control teasel populations very difficult to handle. These plants are prickly all over, with the stem, leaves, and even undeveloped flower heads sporting small, prickly thorns.The plant itself has two different forms. Before they flower in their first year, the flower head is simply a basal rosette, void of any blooms. From the second year onwards, tiny lavender flowers begin to bloom in tightly packed bunches around the rosette. The common teasel species is the most widespread of these plants and can be found growing in the wild and along roadsides.Health Benefits Of Teasel PlantsThe teasel plant, though unassuming, has been used in traditional remedies for years.It is not poisonous or toxic in any way, however, since it does have medicinal properties, using it without prior knowledge or consuming it in large doses is not advised. It has been labeled a noxious weed in a few states in America, and cultivation without supervision is illegal.It is commonly used in Chinese medicinal practices as a toner for the kidneys and liver. It has been observed to help repair connective tissue and bones, as well as help increase their strength as well as aid ideal circulation in the body. Using teasel also helps to relieve the body from jaundice, which can occur because of the production of excess bilirubin (a toxin), which the teasel plant helps to flush out of the body.Apart from this, balm and oils made from this plant can help to soothe muscle pain, bring relief from arthritis, quicken up the healing process for most wounds and soften itchy, scaly skin! The water squeezed from teasel leaves can also help to soothe irritated eyes and help with swelling. It is also used as natural toner which helps to improve complexion.It was even used by the Ancient Greeks to help cure diarrhea, fix the lack of appetite as well as help with liver disorders. This plants also helps with bloating in the body, being a natural diuretic. Consumption of teasel-infused water or tea can help rid the body of excess sweat and water by promoting sweating and the proper flow of urine.The dried flowers of a teasel plant can also be crushed and be used as a natural blue dye. Today, the wild teasel is collected for its vibrant purple and white flower heads, which are used in making floral arrangements.Growth And ReproductionThe teasel plant is biennial, meaning it produces flowering stems only from the second year onwards, or only after the plant itself is fully prepared to flower, which may take some time. Until then, it presents itself as a non-flowering rosette.The plant itself is highly evasive and grows fast, with a single plant hosting up to 40 blooms. The deep taproot system is lengthy and strong, growing up to 6 ft (1.8 m), and snaking around the roots of other plants in the vicinity, causing them to die out. Each bloom of teasel flowers can produce more than 800 seeds, all of which are naturally dispersed in the surroundings. This leads to the growth of more of these plants.The plant itself dies soon after releasing its seeds, however, as each plant can produce up to 32,000 seeds it isn’t really a problem as new ones will spring up nearby in no time. The seeds are dispersed by water, animals, birds, and movement of the soil or wind.How To Identify A TeaselThe common teasel plant is quite easy to identify. It is a tall, flowering plant, which can grow up to heights of 7 ft (2 m). During the first year, a symmetrical rosette grows at the top of the stalk, which looks similar to a prickly pinecone. From the second year onwards, the growth is replaced with green oval-shaped flower heads, which bloom into tight clusters of small purple flowers. The flowers of mature plants are either purple or white flowers with purple tips.You may be able to distinguish these blooms from other plants easily due to the presence of four to five sharp, needle-like spines that emerge from the base of the rosette and curve upwards, surrounding the flowers. There are also small thorns covering the stem, leaves, and base of the plant, making it quite difficult to handle without gloves. The plant can grow fruits as well, which are light brown, round, and prickly.How can you control teasel plants?Though wild teasel plants can be useful as medicine, they are very invasive and take over a garden or park in no time if let out of control. Though initially introduced as a controlled species in North America by the Europeans, this species quickly grew out of the control of cultivation and is regarded as wild weeds now.Each flowering plant produces around 32,000 seeds, which spread out far and wide once dispersed. They are usually found in large, grassy areas like savannahs, grasslands, and prairies, where they can spread out their roots and take over surrounding plants easily. The growth of teasel plants near plantations and crops is a bad sign as these plants have little to no nutritional value themselves and may kill off existing plants as well.If aiming to remove these weeds from your garden, you are in for a tough time. Getting rid of these stubborn flowering plants means digging deep. Long tools, such as dandelion diggers, can be used to dig up these plants as well as their deep roots.Trying to cut off the flower head structures to prevent seeding is not advised, as these would just fall to the ground and disperse seeds, or new ones would grow in their place. The best way possible to handle this problem is by removing the flower heads at the stems before they are mature enough to set dispersion into motion, while they are still green.Young plants can also be disposed of with the help of herbicides, however, be careful to only target the teasel plants or the herbicides may end up affecting other plants in the vicinity as well.Habitat And ConservationTeasels can be found growing in wild areas, like uninhabited grasslands, prairies, and savannahs. They can also be found in urban settings, in sunny areas like roadsides, in waste grounds, and along waterways.They are quite abundant, and rather than trying to conserve them, people find themselves trying to get rid of them due to their invasive nature! Each plant can produce 32,000 seeds,which remain viable for almost two years until they are dispersed in appropriate growing environments. If they grow past their flowering stage, then it is quite likely that they will return year after year.
Teasels are native plants of Europe and northern Africa and were introduced to the United States by early settlers.
