Dipsacus sativus

Fuller's teasel

Family: Dipsacaceae · Type: biennial · Not Native

Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes

Fuller's teasel is a naturalized biennial found in northern coastal, northern coastal-rocky, central western California, and Peninsular Ranges in disturbed areas, fields, vacant lots, and pastures at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale lavender to white flowers in dense, ovoid to cylindrical heads 5 to 10 centimeters long. Growing with robust, branching stems that can reach up to one meter tall, it develops distinctive leaf pairs that fuse widely around the stem. Its large leaves are connected at the base, forming a cup-like structure around the stem that can collect water. The fruit is approximately 6 to 8 millimeters long, contributing to its characteristic bristly appearance.

Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, vacant lots, pastures

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: < 800 m

Bioregions: NCo, NCoRO, CW, PR

California counties: San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Riverside, Calaveras, Marin, Glenn, Humboldt, Alameda, Napa, Solano, Siskiyou, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Los Angeles

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.