First impressions are that this plant is a native of the Midwest prairie. It’s sturdy, upright; six foot presence seems to echo the perennial strength of native prairie plants. Yet, Cutleaf Teasel is one of many invasive species, whose homeland is Europe.

Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) is one of the non-native plants in this restored prairie. This land, adjacent to Cook County Forest Preserve’s Linne Woods, was reclaimed by the CCFP after use by the Deep Tunnel project which created pipeline for Lake Michigan water use by western suburbs of Chicago.