DAY 77 (21 JUNE) – Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) (Lower Froyle, Hants)
I must have seen this growing wild many times, but not registered it. I love the careless way it leans at different angles. Apparently the cones can reach up to more than 8ft.
Wild teasel is native to Eurasia and North Africa – but grown widely elsewhere. It’s supposed to flower from May to July so perhaps these were early. The first flowers (purple, deep pink or lavender) open in a belt around the centre of the cone shape. Then others appear in subsequent rings above or below. Intriguing.
Better still, in autumn the seeds are an important food source for goldfinches. I’ll be back.
