Commonly known as the Cutleaf teasel, Dipsacus laciniatus is an herbaceous perennial from the Caprifoliaceae family. It has striking erect stems that can reach up to 2 metres high. These stems are hollow and prickly supporting pinnatisect leaves which are oppositely arranged, each leaf pair joined.

This species lives for many years before flowering. It is Monocarpic meaning once it sets flower and seed it will then die. The inflorescence is a spikey egg-shaped head supported by long bracts. Each head may contain up to 1500 flowers with individual flower’s lasting just one day. These flowers are present from July to September.

The fruit is an achene which is a type of simple dry fruit containing a single seed. A single plant can produce up to 2,000 seeds and can remain viable in the soil for at least two years as this plant only reproduces only by seed.

This teasel may be distinguished from its relative, common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) by flower color and leaf shape. Cutleaf teasel has white flowers and deeply cut leaves, while the common teasel has purple flowers and toothed or wavy-edged leaves.
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