The wild Teazle is an impressive plant, reaching 4-5ft in height; the stem is covered in small spines and the flower head is egg-shaped, from 2" to 3" in length. The flowers are purple. The Teazle seed-head is covered in protective bristles which are hooked in the same way that Velcro is designed. In past centuries the Teazle seed head was used by weavers to 'raise the nap' on woollen cloth. The Teazle plant is biennial and does not flower in its first year, Teazle Seed is expensive as a result. It is widely used for British Finches and Canaries.
