Can anyone identify this weed?, plant?

Hi everyone.
This plant has appeared in my neighbour's garden recently, it now stands five foot tall, and about 3 foot wide at it's widest.
Kind of prickly and hairy.
We assume it's a weed, a jolly big weed.

 

Hi there Bev and welcome to GC. That is a teasel, probably seeded by a bird. Although a 'weed' the bees love it when it flowers and the birds love it as they eat the seeds. It is not a problem in itself as it generally lives for only one season, but it could well seed around, however they are easily pulled up. Personally I like them, both for their statuesque looks and their benefits to wildlife.

 

It is indeed a teasel, and like foxgloves did a few years back this hitherto weed is on the verge of enjoying quite a comeback in popularity-especially in our more aware society. It's good for the native bees-and I see the ladybirds like it too.

 

Teasel is ace when it flowers, and even after the flowers finish, sometimes they dry out and like quite ornamental.

I thought Teasel was biennial?

 

Many thanks for the replies everyone.
We will rest easy in our beds tonight. The consensus is...it stays and flowers, we're looking forward to it.

 

You could well be right there Not-so-Clueless.

 

Teasels are biennial, I have mine in a v.small pot at the moment, waiting for it to grow big and strong, and then it will flower next year. I can't wait!

 

I think if they get an early start they will flower the same year.

But who grows it like that :D:o