A genus of thistle-like plants commonly called teasel, with spiky flower heads used historically for carding wool.
From Greek 'dipsa' meaning thirst, supposedly named because the plant's opposite leaves form cups that collect rainwater. The name has been used in botanical classification since at least the 16th century.
Teasels were so valuable in the wool industry that they were worth cultivating specifically for textile production—medieval monks even grew them in monastery gardens as a cash crop, making them one of the earliest 'industrial' plants.
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