Unidentified invader! Hello - I'm new here, very interesting site! I wonder if someone could identify this plant which I have found growing under the trees in my garden? (Northern England) The plant is over 5 feet tall and has a fluted pale green stem ( about one inch thick - seems hollow) which has very fine sparse prickles. Large leaves, rather dock/cos lettuce-like (but with toothed edges) grow directly from the main stem (sessile?). The leaves grow in alternate opposite pairs with the bases of each leaf joined around the stem to form a small cup - which holds water. From this cup branch out stems which look like smaller versions of the main plant. The spines of each leaf have thorns which point back towards the stem. A velvety bud has formed at the very top of the plant which is perhaps a half-inch wide and threequarters of an inch long and is surrounded by ten or so narrow long sepals. I have never seen this plant before but I am by no means an expert in these things. Pic attached (I hope).
Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel). A British native, and excellent for wildlife (Goldfinches love the seeds).
