Lactuca serriola
L. Prickly LettuceAnnual or biennial, 1–2 m high; stems stiffly erect, usually unbranched below inflorescence. Leaves glaucous, margins and midrib shortly spiny; basal and lower cauline leaves sessile, c. oblanceolate to oblong, 3–18 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, entire to pinnatisect, spreading but lamina often near-vertical; upper cauline leaves similar but smaller, bract-like at inflorescences. Capitula pedunculate, solitary, axillary; involucre 6–9 mm long (to 15 mm in fruit); inner bracts longer, spreading or reflexed in fruit, green with a reddish apex. Florets slightly exceeding involucre, pale yellow; ligule 2.5–4 mm long. Cypselas obovate, 6–8 mm long (including 3–4 mm beak), minutely bristly above, grey-brown; pappus c. 5 mm long. Flowers Sep.–May.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, VAlp. Widespread in drier parts of the State, and locally common as a roadside, garden or crop weed.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Asteraceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 652–666. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
