Dipsacus fullonum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends through Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it is also found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, its distribution includes the country of Austria. Additionally, the species can be identified within the borders of Belgium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dipsacus fullonum is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2650 m AMSL. It is primarily found occupying lowland habitats, where it can establish itself within various ecological niches. To survive environmental pressures and herbivory, the plant utilizes active defense mechanisms, making it a resilient component of its native landscape.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Dipsacus fullonum is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, typically spanning a total lifespan of 2 years. As a plant that completes its reproductive cycle over two distinct growing seasons, it functions primarily as a biennial, though its biological classification encompasses traits seen in annual or perennial patterns depending on environmental conditions. Its structural life form is identified as a hemicryptophyte, where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, though it can also be categorized under the therophyte life form during certain stages of its development. In terms of its seasonal foliage behavior, the plant is deciduous, shedding its leaves as it transitions through its life stages.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Lifespan :

2

Morphology

The morphology of Dipsacus fullonum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, rather than being a vine or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average height of approximately 0.95 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.95 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dipsacus fullonum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system rather than trapping prey, and it lacks the capacity to function as a nitrogen fixer. Morphologically, the plant features elliptic leaf forms with a mean leaf size of 239.37 cm² and a maximum leaf width reaching 35 cm. These structural dimensions contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 200.77 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf density and the strategic allocation of biomass for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf size mean:

239.37 cm²

Leaf width max:

35 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

200.77 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dipsacus fullonum is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, specifically utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization. The flowering period typically begins in July and extends through August, featuring violet-colored flowers that range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. While the plant exhibits self-fertilization capabilities, it does not engage in asexual reproduction. The reproductive structure is monocarpous, producing fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent, with an average length of 0.4 cm and an average width of 0.1 cm. The resulting seeds are highly uniform, with a consistent length and width of 4.5 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The seed mass varies from a minimum of 0.00173 g to a maximum of 0.005 g, with a mean mass of approximately 0.002695889 g. Following maturation, the dispersal syndrome is classified as unspecialized, allowing the seeds to spread through non-specific mechanisms.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

8 cm

Flower length min:

5 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width mean:

0.1 cm

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

4.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.005 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002695889 g

Seed mass min:

0.00173 g

Seed width mean:

1.5 mm

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dipsacus fullonum has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Cantleyoside, FAT, IRON.

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Cantleyoside

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

ISOVITEXIN 7-GLUCOSIDE

1. Dr. Duke

Iridoids

1. Dr. Duke

Loganin

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Dipsacus fullonum has 196 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiEBV

1. Dr. Duke