Invasive Teasel in Southern Indiana - Here's How to Identify It

Childhood Trees and Fond Memories

Growing up, I had two favorite trees in our yard. The first was a giant elm next to the house that held my tire swing. Sadly, it did not survive the dreaded emerald ash borer. My second favorite was a mimosa tree on the edge of my parents’ property. Its delicate leaves and fluffy pink blooms felt magical, and the sweet scent always hung in the air during summer.

Ronald Crow

Even Pretty Plants Can Be Invasive

It was not until much later that I learned mimosa trees, while beautiful, are actually ornamental imports from Asia. They are considered terribly invasive in the tri-state, and locals are encouraged to chop them down. At the time, I did not even know what “invasive” meant. People were planting Bradford Pears like it was their job. I never planted one myself because they smell like fish in the spring, but I didn't cry when the one that came with my house toppled over in a thunderstorm.

Why Invasive Species Are a Problem

The trouble with invasive species is that they spread quickly, are difficult to eliminate, and push out native plants. Unfortunately, the Town of Newburgh and the Warrick County Soil & Water Conservation District recently posted that there is a new invasive species in town, and it is up to us to help control it.

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Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

What Is Common Teasel

The plant is called Common Teasel, and its seed head looks like a spiky flower. According to invasivespeciesinfo.gov, it was first introduced to the United States in the 1800s. It was cultivated for use in textile processing or may have been introduced accidentally with other varieties of teasel. The problem with teasel is that it crowds out native plants.

Why Native Plants Matter

You might think, plants are plants, so who cares what grows here. The issue is that native animals and insects depend on specific plants to survive. Monarch caterpillars, for example, eat only milkweed. Without milkweed, monarch populations decline dramatically.

How to Control Common Teasel

The Town of Newburgh advises that for small infestations, you can pull teasel up and dispose of it. For larger ones, herbicide is recommended in the fall or spring when teasel is actively growing and other native plants are more dormant.

Richard-P-Long