Teasel, Xu-duan (Dipsacus asperoides) packet of 20 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 9
(Ri-ben-xu-duan) Biennial native to China. With spreading branches topped by myriads of strange, lovely, creamy-flowered, spiny cones, the plant can be used as a central attraction for the herb garden. Fervently visited by bees, it is very tough, drought-tolerant and not particular about soil. Very different from common wayside teasel. Traditional use (TCM): liver and kidney tonic, lower back pain, Lyme’s disease. Plant prefers regular garden soil, even moisture, full sun. Space 1 foot apart
Packet of 20 seeds, Certified Organically Grown
Out of stock
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Troy Larssen (verified owner) –
I purchased this to add to my anti-lyme plant collection and it’s been a fantastic addition here in 6b. I didn’t know what to expect but they are strong growers that put on a nice show toward the end of the season. They also have a wonderful scent, it smells like vanilla and honey to me. It won’t pervade the garden but it’s noticeable when you get near them. I’m really looking forward to make some medicine with them! As always, very reliable germination, thanks Richo!!
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Richo Cech –
Hello Troy, Thanks for the well-written information. My feeling about these is that they are finicky germinators yet once they get going are pretty tough. I thought they would be reliable biennials but mine are acting like perennials. Like you said the flowers are very different from fullunom in size, shape and fragrance. I tried to get my Chinese caravan to stop for these when I saw them roadside and so managed a few seconds at least with the plant in habitat. richo
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Question
kimberly rhoades (verified owner) –
What is the growing habit of this plant? Is it invasive like Honeysuckle? Does it require full sun or any soil requirements?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kimberly, Maybe more on-point to ask if its as vigorous a spreader as Fuller’s Teasel (D. fullonum), as this would be a more comparable plant. No, the Xu-duan is very well-behaved and will do well in any moist soil, including clay. It will grow in sun or part shade. richo
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Question
Barbara Scavotto –
Hello, when do you expect more Xu Dun seeds in stock? thank you!
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Admin Richo Cech –
We have a nice patch of these in the field, planted last year, they will flower this year, with luck seeds will ensue around September of 2019.
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Question
Paige Swanson –
Is the teasel expected to be back in stock this coming spring?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Paige,
We grew a big patch of this and it appears to be overwintering well. We won’t have seeds until midsummer or so, 2019.
Richo
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Mick –
Do you have any seeds for dipsacus fullonum/sylvestris?
Thanks.
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Admin Richo Cech –
THANK YOU for reminding me. I’m going to that field today and will check on progress. My guess is not until September 2019. r
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Jan Marie –
Hi Richo….any news on the dipsacus fullonum? THank you for all the wonderful wonderful green gifts to all of us!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, we had this ready to go last year but on checking the noxious weed databases found that the plant is generally disallowed in the US and so we opted for the asperoides, which is allowed. r
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thegiftofyou –
How is this variety different from the wild Teasel, or “Fuller’s Teasel”? Are the medicinal properties the same? If not, how are they different? Thank you, for your help!
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, The short answer is that the several types of teasel (actually there are ~15 species in Dipsacus) are being used by herbalists. Our Xu-duan is known to contain the saponin c constituent. We cannot trade in Fuller’s Teasel because it is a disallowed noxious weed. Are they the same and interchangeable? Not necessarily. You can check any good Chinese herbal resource (such as Bensky) to get more info on Xu-duan. richo
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kimberly rhoades (verified owner) –
I thought that Dipsacus Sylvestris was used for Lyme? Do you sell the seeds? Are these other varieties just as good for Lyme?
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Richo Cech –
We can’t sell sylvestris (fullonum) because its a disallowed weed species. Xu-duan has a much longer history of medicinal use!
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