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Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook.f.

Bhattal
Synonyms: Lactuca nudicaulis L.; Sonchus nudicaulis (L.) Lam

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Description

Launaea nudicaulis is an annual or perennial herb, usually 10–40 cm tall, forming a basal rosette of leaves. Leaves are oblanceolate to lyrately pinnatifid, glabrous or sparsely hairy, with irregularly toothed margins. Flowering stems are leafless (scapose), erect, and branched near the apex. Flower heads are solitary or arranged in loose clusters, consisting entirely of yellow ligulate florets. Fruits are brown, ribbed achenes with a slender beak and a white pappus of numerous fine bristles.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Basal rosette of lobed leaves with leafless flowering stems.
Floral
Yellow ligulate flower heads borne on naked scapes.
Fruit & Seed
Ribbed beaked achenes with a white pappus.

Distribution

Native range: Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

In Pakistan: Widely distributed throughout Pakistan, and arid regions.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: February–July Fruiting: March–August

Ethnobotany & Uses

Uses
Young leaves are occasionally consumed as a leafy vegetable. Used in traditional medicine for digestive disorders, fever, and skin ailments. Provides forage for livestock in dry regions.
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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

Launaea nudicaulis is easily recognized by its basal leaf rosette, leafless flowering stalks, and yellow ligulate flower heads. It is one of the most common desert members of the tribe Cichorieae in Pakistan and is accepted by Flora of Pakistan, Plants of the World Online (POWO), and World Flora Online (WFO).