NATURE’S EMBELLISHMENT

In winter, each spine on the seedhead of the common teasel is edged in pure white frost, drawing attention to its detailed silhouette. The long bracts, curling out from the top of the stem with flourishing swoops, contrast with the plant’s otherwise sharply angular lines. The stem and leaves are also covered in prickles, each point enhanced by the ice. It is from the leaves, and the small cup that they form at the base, close to the stem, that the genus takes its name, dipsacus, which comes from the Greek, dipsa, for thirst. Water can collect here, forming a small, clear pool. Teasels are common in England, less so in the rest of Britain, and can be seen, stark and shimmering, near roadsides, river banks, fens and rough pasture.