prickly lettuce |
|
| Asterales > Asteraceae > Lactuca serriola L.
|
| Synonym(s): China lettuce, wild lettuce |
Prickly lettuce is an annual or biennial that can reach heights of 6 ft. (1.8m). Cauline leaves (on the stem) are alternate, 2-14 in. (5-36 cm) long and become smaller up the stem. Leaves have a conspicuous, white midvein with the underside of the vein covered with many prickles. In the mid-to-late summer, 1/2 in. (1.3 cm) wide, yellow flowers develop in a branched inflorescence at the apex of the stem. Flowers produce dandelion-like seeds. Prickly lettuce is native to the Mediterranean region and occurs along roadsides, in abandoned fields, and other disturbed areas. It was accidentally introduced into North America in the late 1890s, possibly as a contaminant in seed. |
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
|
Selected Images from Invasive.org
Click on each thumbnail to download the image at 1536x1024 resolution or below for available resolutions.
Use 768x512 for Microsoft PowerPoint and use 1536x1024 for Prints and Publications.
Foliage; Rosette
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s); habit
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s); habit
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Foliage;
Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Foliage;
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Foliage;
Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); Prickles
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); Milky sap
Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Flower(s);
Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Flower(s);
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Flower(s);
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Fruit(s);
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Fruit(s);
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s);
Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Infestation;
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Diagram or Graphic; USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Invasive Reference(s):
Check Invasive.org for most current lists.
- Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species
External Links
|
|
