Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Lactuca serriola / prickly lettuce

Lactuca serriola L.

prickly lettuce (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadStrong tendencySE
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Lactuca serriola is an old introduction, mostly found in waste ground in low-lying parts of central and southern England.

Tring (VC20: Hertfordshire); 2015-07-23

 prickly lettuce / Lactuca serriola: _Lactuca serriola_ is an old introduction, mostly found in waste ground in low-lying parts of central and southern England.

The leaves of Lactuca serriola have a row of thin spines along the underside of the midrib; the midribs and stems are white, unlike the purple colouration of Lactuca virosa.

Tring (VC20: Hertfordshire); 2015-07-23

 prickly lettuce / Lactuca serriola: The leaves of _Lactuca serriola_ have a row of thin spines along the underside of the midrib; the midribs and stems are white, unlike the purple colouration of _Lactuca virosa_.

Inflorescences

Tring (VC20: Hertfordshire); 2015-07-23

 prickly lettuce / Lactuca serriola: Inflorescences

In fruit

Tring (VC20: Hertfordshire); 2015-07-23

 prickly lettuce / Lactuca serriola: In fruit

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne