Dipsacus

The kind Dipsacus (the cardères ) gathers plants classified traditionally in the family of the Dipsacacées, plants herbaceous of which also part the Scabieuse S (kind Scabiosa ) form. The most known species is Dipsacus fullonum (cardère wild, cardère with fuller, cabaret of the birds), whose subspecies sativus (classified today as species with whole share) was used a long time to card wool. It is this characteristic which is at the origin of the French name cardère allotted to the kind. As for the scientific name, it is a derivative of the Greek dipsaô (to be thirsty), undoubtedly evoking the sheets caulinaires cardères, opposed and welded, forming kinds of cups which retain rainwater.

The Classification APG II proposes to include the family of the Dipsacacées in that of the Caprifoliacées.

Characteristics of the kind

Bi-annual plants of rather big size, with stem equipped with pivots more or less prickles. Sheet S basal in rivet washer, fading rather early the second year. Sheets caulinaires opposed, welded two to two. The inflorescence is a capitulates (more exactly a Cyme capituliforme) carrying the many ones bractées: on the one hand, at the base of the flowerhead, a flange long bractées the often upwards curved ones; other of the prickly scales surrounding the Fleur S. the Fruit S are Akène s.

Principal species

Dipsacus ferox Loisel.
Dipsacus fullonum L.
Dipsacus laciniatus L.
Dipsacus pilosus L.
Dipsacus sativus (L.) Honck.

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