What is "dipsacus pilosus"

Teasel \Tea"sel\, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t[=ae]sel, t[=ae]sl, the fuller's herb. See Tease.] [Written also tassel, tazel, teasle, teazel, and teazle.]

1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species ( Dipsacus fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.

   Note: Small teasel is Dipsacus pilosus, wild teasel is Dipsacus sylvestris.

2. A bur of this plant.

3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth.

   Teasel frame, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth.

Dipsacus pilosus or small teasel is a species of biennial flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae. The epithet small refers to the flower heads which are smaller, globular and made up of white flowers with violet anthers and woolly spines.

Flowers from July to September.

Small teasel prefers damp, calcareous soils especially along woodland edges and clearings but is also found along hedgerows and the banks of streams and rivers. Although often found amongst tall vegetation the seeds of small teasel require disturbance for germination. It therefore requires a habitat subject to occasional management if it is to persist.

Seeds germinate best in the autumn.