Bizzare leaves of a wild teasel

by Silva Wischeropp

I discovered this autumnal, bizzare, wild cardoon during my photo walk in the Botanical Volkspark Blankenfelde-Pankow on 12 October 2025 in the late afternoon hours.

The photo was taken with the NIKON D800 camera (lens: NIKKOR 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8).
Warm, brown tones of these interesting, rolled card leaves radiate a harmonious warmth and harmony.
Autumn shows its most beautiful side and enchants nature with wonderful warm, strong colours.

The wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L., synonym: Dipsacus sylvestris Huds.) is a plant species that belongs to the teasel subfamily (Dipsacoideae).
The name Dipsacus comes from the Greek dipsa for thirst: after rain, water collects in the funnels of the stem leaves for birds or hikers to drink.

The wild teasel is a biennial semi-rosette plant. It is called a cistern plant because the opposite leaves, which grow together at the base, form a water collection basin (phytotelm). Their function is interpreted as protection against ants. It is possible that insect trapping and the colonisation of small organisms provide an additional nitrogen supply.

In terms of flower ecology, these are "basket flowers". The flowers unfold from the centre of the inflorescence and progress both upwards and downwards. This is why you often see two rows of open flowers; the ones in between have already finished flowering. The flowers are pre-masculine, with a 1 cm long narrow tube and protruding stigmas and anthers. The flowers are abundantly visited by insects. The nectar is only accessible to long-trunked bumblebees and butterflies. Self-pollination is also successful.