Dipsacus laciniatus L.

Locations ofDipsacus laciniatus L. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Botanical Name
Dipsacus laciniatus L.
Common Name
Cut-leaf Teasel
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Dipsacus laciniatus L.
Comments
Contrary to what traditional keys and treatments indicate, Virginia populations of this species frequently contain, or consist wholly of, plants with non-laciniate-pinnatifid, merely toothed leaves (see photos for examples of the two extreme leaf-forms). Nevertheless, the species may be readily distinguished from Dipsacus fullonum by its white flowers appearing July - September (vs. pinkish flowers from late May - August for D. fullonum); and its broadly and deeply connate-perfoliate leaf bases that form "cups" around the stem and hold water (vs. sessile to slightly clasping, but never connate-perfoliate leaves in D. fullonum).
Habitat
Fields, roadsides, and other open disturbed habitats in the mountains and Piedmont; especially common along highway shoulders and median strips. This species has spread rapidly in recent decades and is much more widespread than the map of collections indicates.
Native Status
Introduced

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