Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) is an exotic, invasive plant that infests roadsides and other minimally disturbed areas. Plants in established stands appear to be a mixture of rapidly growing rosettes and rosettes with developing reproductive structures. Research that is focused on seed characteristics and their contribution to the spread of plants may be a key to precluding spread of cutleaf teasel in the field. Field studies were conducted to determine the viability and germinability of seeds after flowering, seedling emergence patterns, and seed persistence. Flowering (60% of anthesis) was observed under natural conditions on July 24, 2004, and July 16, 2005. Seeds harvested 12 d after flowering exhibited 43% viability and 2.5% germination. Seed weight and viability were greatest 30 d after flowering, but germination was < 32%. Seedling emergence was monitored over a 12-mo period with the greatest emergence in April and October with 33% of seeds germinating. Seed persistence was evaluated over a 3-yr period under field conditions. Up to 84% of the germinated seeds had germinated during the first year, with 6% of seeds remaining viable after 3 yr. Although seed persistence was relatively short, the rapid development of seeds following flowering as well as seedling emergence in both fall and spring suggests management practices are needed throughout the year to restrict reestablishment spread of cutleaf teasel.

Nomenclature: Cutleaf teasel, Dipsacus laciniatus L

Interpretive Summary: Cutleaf teasel is an exotic biennial plant in the northeastern United States. Reproduction is only by seed. Studies of seed viability after flowering, germination, and persistence showed that cutleaf teasel produced viable seeds 12 d after flowering, and completed maturation in 30 d. Emergence was concentrated in 2 mo, April and October, and 6.1% of the seeds remained viable in the seed bank after 3 yr. Results suggest that herbicides should be applied after the two peaks of emergence and repeated for at least 3 yr. Mowing cutleaf teasel plants must be done before flowering to prevent dispersal of viable seeds. Monitoring seed production and seed bank depletion will help to prevent or reduce cutleaf teasel infestations.