Teasel, Dipsacus Fullonum

Day 289 (special edition): Non-native, but presently listed as an invasive in only one county, the Fuller's Teasel (Common Teasel) is rapidly distributing itself in western Washington. A tall plant which somewhat resembles a thistle, the dried heads of the Teasel are popular among flower arrangers. Frequent collection from the wild has contributed to the spread of the plant as seeds from uncleaned heads are inadvertently transported from one locale to another, where improper disposal procedures exacerbate the issue. If you collect these seed heads for personal use, please remember to bag them in the field. Clean them carefully at home and burn the seeds whenever possible. If burning is not an option, wrap them in duct tape and place the bundle inside a non-biodegradable container before putting them in your trash.