Teasel Tans

Day 88: Dipsacum fullonum (Common Teasel or Fuller's Teasel) is an invasive plant, therefore you should feel no guilt for cutting bouquets of the seed heads as long as you take care to prevent accidental dispersal of seeds. Sprayed with metallic paint or even clear varnish, these three-inch cones are a lovely addition to dried arrangements. When in bloom, the green head often shows a ring of small lavender flowers encircling it like a ballerina's tutu, rising on stalks which attain heights of six feet or more. The thorns are sharp, but can be easily removed by scraping with a pocket knife.