What is Teasel?
{{taxobox |image = Dipsacus fullonum1.jpg |image_caption = ''Dipsacus fullonum'' |regnum = [[Plantae]] |unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]] |unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]] |unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]] |ordo = [[Dipsacales]] |familia = [[Dipsacaceae]] |genus = '''''Dipsacus''''' |genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = See text. |}}{{Redlinks}} '''Teasel''' is a [[plant]] in the [[genus]] '''''Dipsacus'''''. There are about 15 different [[species]] of teasel. These [[flowering plant]]s are tall and leafy ([[herbaceous]]). They are [[biennial plant]]s and are native to (come from) [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and northern [[Africa]]. They can grow to be {{convert|1|to|2.5|m|ft}} tall. These plants have a prickly [[Plant stem|stem]] and [[leaves]]. Its [[flower]]s are [[purple]], dark [[pink]], or [[lavender]] and grow directly on the end of the [[Plant stem|stem]]. After flowering, the head of the plant dries out and holds small [[seed]]s. These seeds are important [[food]] in the [[winter]] for [[birds]], especially the [[European Goldfinch]]. Teasels are grown in [[garden]]s and [[nature reserve]]s to attract these goldfinches. In the [[United States]], teasel is an [[invasive species]]. It is not [[native]] to the [[continent]] and takes over the land of native plant species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/teasel.shtml|title=Invasive Species: Plantes - Common Teasel (Dispacus fullonum)|publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]|date=February 16, 2011|accessdate=2011-07-08|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721043209/http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/teasel.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/teasel_com.htm|title=Invasive Species - Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum subsp. sylvestris)|publisher=[[Wisconsin]] [[Department of Natural Resources]]|date=September 3, 2004|accessdate=2011-07-08|archive-date=2011-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/