Lactuca serriola

(Prickly Lettuce)

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Lactuca serriola, Hwy 65, Grand Mesa, Delta Co. 2749

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Lactuca serriola, Hwy 65, Grand Mesa, Delta Co. 2752

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Lactuca serriola, Hwy 65, Grand Mesa, Delta Co. 2696

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Lactuca serriola, Hwy 65, Grand Mesa, Delta Co. 2686

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Leaves, Lactuca serriola, Hwy 65, Grand Mesa, Delta Co. 2691

Scientific Name Lactuca serriola USDA PLANTS Symbol LASE
Common Name Prickly Lettuce ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 36608
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (3500 to 8500 ft.); fields, waste places, disturbed areas, and roadsides.
Plant: Tall, erect biennial, 1-5 feet high, stout stem and milky sap.
Leaves: Alternate, prickly leaves, usually clasping and oblanceolate to obovate in shape; lower leaves deeply pinnately-lobed.
Inflorescence: Large panicles or corymbs of many, often 100 or more, composite yellow blossoms in open clusters, each about 1/2-inch across, with 13 to 27 rays only (no disk florets); involucre about 1/2 inch long with 3 rows of overlapping bracts.
Bloom Period: July to October.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, American Southwest and SEINet.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Introduced

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County