Summary ³

Lactuca serriola, also called prickly lettuce, milk thistle (not to be confused with Silybum marianum, also called milk thistle) compass plant, and scarole, is an annual or biennial plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. It has a slightly fetid odor and is commonly considered a weed of orchards, roadsides and field crops. It is the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Description ⁴

Family:
Asteraceae (Aster)

Height:
2 to 6 feet

Leaves:
Lance-shaped leaves with deep lobes, up to 12 inches long. Edges are prickly.

Flower:
12 to 20 linear, yellow petals with notched tips surround a light yellow center

Bloom time:
July-September

Habitat:
Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas

Can I plant this in my garden?
No, prickly lettuce is a weedy plant that spreads easily due its to many wind-dispersed, dandelion-like seeds. It can be pulled by hand before seeds form to prevent its spread.

References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/prickly-lettuce

Range ⁴

Sources and Credits

1. (c) George F Mayfield, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/33397993@N05/3364663363
2. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, all rights reserved, uploaded by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
3. Adapted by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactuca_serriola
4. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

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