By Dandy_lion
Gloucestershire,
United Kingdom 
Can someone please identify the plant in the pictures attached. It has huge (9 inch approx), primrose like leaves with two rows of spines down them as can be seen in the close-up. Its a mystery to me as it has appeared in my garden and I'm sure I didn't plant it! Any help would be greatly appreciated because my wife wants to pull it up and throw it away but I quite like it. I havn't seen a flower.
Thank you
Chris Cuss
20 Apr, 2010
Answers
Let one flower and you get millions. However, gold finches love the seed heads.
20 Apr, 2010
Brilliant, thank you. Looks like my wife may get her way.
Thanks again,
Chris
20 Apr, 2010
Are there thorns on the leaves?
20 Apr, 2010
Yes it is def a teasel. I have a friend who only grows these in her borders as she loves the birds so much.
20 Apr, 2010
definately a teasel be warned tho it self seeds
21 Apr, 2010
Yes, hoe them out when they are little and just leave one or two.
21 Apr, 2010
yes Great they do have spines. They were used to 'card' fabrics in the medevial days. Dont know if they gave their name to 'teasing out' or if teasing out gave its name to the plant :o)
21 Apr, 2010
Previous question
« Please can someone tell me if I can plant a weeping birch tree in my tiny garden...
Next question
This is a teasel, Dipsacus.
20 Apr, 2010