When I encountered these dried pods at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park I mistook them for milk thistle; it wasn’t until I did a little online research that I learned they’re actually teasel. Although they produce very pretty flowers, they are invasive and tend to crowd out the native plants.

According to the website Botanical Accuracy (linked above), the teasel got its name from the fact the flower heads were once used to tease out the wool before spinning (carding). I haven’t researched to confirm how true that is, but as a knitter I find the idea very intriguing!