Lactuca canadensis

Lactuca canadensis wild lettuce

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Biennial herb, up to 8 feet tall, unbranched. Leaves are high in vitamins and can be eaten raw or boiled. Several varieties are usually recognized based on leaf shape which is high variable.

Habitat & Range

Grows in woodland edges, meadows, and fields.

Present throughout the state.

Wetland codes

EMP:	FACU
NCNE:	FACU

Phenology

Flowers June to September.

Characteristics

Flower heads numerous, florets yellow, with ray flowers only.

Leaves alternate; leaf shape varies - it can be entireand simple, toothed or shallow to deeply pinnately lobed; light to dark green in color, sometimes with purple edges.

Achenesdark with a slender, elongated beak and a single vein on each face.

Special Characters

Can be extremely tall, tends to stand out amongst other plants.

Plant Codes

S-rank: No rank
G-rank: G5 (Secure)

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