Common teasel is a native of Europe, now widespread as a weed in North America. It is spreading rapidly in the Pacific Northwest, in moist sites, especially along irrigation ditches, canals and disturbed sites. In the fall the stems and fruiting heads are commonly silvered or gilded for winter bouquets. Flowering occurs from July to August. 

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Teasel is a stout, taprooted biennial which grows to 6 feet tall, branched above. The stem is striate-angled with several rows of downward turned prickles. Leaves are conspicuously veined, with stiff prickles on the lower midrib. The basal rosette of leaves usually dies early in the second season. Stem leaves lanceolate up to 10 inches long, the opposite leaves of the stem have fused bases which trap rain water. Flowers are purple, borne in dense heads, each flower subtended by spine-like bractlets. Corolla is 4-lobed. Involucral bracts at the vase of the head are generally longer than the head. Fruits are 4-angled, each with a single seed.