HerbWildAnnual

Lactuca serriola L.

Prickly lettuce

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Description

Lactuca serriola is an erect annual or biennial herb, usually 50–180 cm tall, producing abundant white milky latex. The stem is stiff, branched above, and often prickly near the base. Basal leaves are deeply lobed, while upper leaves are narrow, sessile, and clasp the stem with pointed auricles. A distinctive row of stiff prickles occurs along the underside of the leaf midrib. Flower heads are small, pale yellow, and arranged in large open panicles. Fruits are brown achenes with a slender beak and a white pappus.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

White milky latex; upper leaves clasping the stem; prickles along the underside of the leaf midrib.

Floral

Numerous small pale yellow ligulate flower heads in open panicles.

Fruit & Seed

Brown beaked achenes with a conspicuous white pappus.

Distribution

Native range: Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.

Introduced range: Widely naturalized worldwide.

In Pakistan: Common throughout Pakistan in cultivated fields, roadsides, wastelands, and urban habitats.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: April–October Fruiting: May–November

Ethnobotany & Uses

Uses

Young leaves are occasionally consumed as a leafy vegetable. Traditionally used as a mild sedative, diuretic, and digestive remedy. Considered an important weed in agricultural fields. Recognized as the wild progenitor of cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Lactuca serriola, commonly known as Prickly Lettuce, is regarded as the principal wild ancestor of cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa). It is readily recognized by its clasping leaves, abundant milky latex, and the distinctive row of prickles on the lower leaf midrib. The species is accepted by Flora of Pakistan, Plants of the World Online (POWO), and World Flora Online (WFO).