Lactuca canadensis

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Lactuca canadensis
Lactuca canadensis IWF.jpg
Photo by the Illinois Wildflowers Database
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicots
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Lactuca
Species: L. canadensis
Binomial name
Lactuca canadensis
L.
LACT CANA DIST.JPG
Natural range of Lactuca canadensis from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common Name: American wild lettuce;[1] Canada lettuce[2]

Taxonomic Notes

Synonym: L. sagittifolia;[1][2] L. steelei[2]

Description

Lactuca canadensis is a dioecious annual and biennial that grows as a forb/herb.[2] Its inflorescence consist of a cluster of small pale yellow flowers. When crushed, its foliage excretes a milky juice. Leaves are alternate, simple, with lobed margins. It is relatively short, reaching heights of 0-1 ft (0.0-0.3 m).[3]

Distribution

This species occurs in all of the lower 48 United States excluding Nevada and Arizona. In Canada, it is found in all the provinces except Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories.[2]

Ecology

Habitat

L. canadensis is found in fields, roadsides, and disturbed ground.[1]

Phenology

In the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, this species flowers from June through November.[1] Flowers on the Florida panhandle have been reported in May, June, and August, peaking in June.[4]

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Weakley AS (2015) Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 USDA NRCS (2016) The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 30 January 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
  3. Plant database: Lactuca canadensis. (30 January 2018) Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. URL: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LACA
  4. Nelson G (30 January 2018) PanFlora. Retrieved from gilnelson.com/PanFlora/