Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Latuca campestris
Other common names
prairie lettuce
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
1 to 5 feet
Riparian
Yes
Leafy stems arise from a taproot. Both the leaves and stems contain a milky sap.
A 4mm long beaked (ending in a narrow tip) 2-nerved achene, the beak about as long as the body of the achene ; ovate upper leaves and pinnatifid (cleft) lower leaves and yellow flowers distinguish this from other Latuca species.
Habitat
Prefers moist but well drained soil in prairies, low ground, or roadsides.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Disturbed Areas
Interior Chaparral
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Riparian
Grasslands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are yellow, but become purplish with age.
Flower color
Yellow to purplish
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves can vary widely from narrow to oblong to pinnatifid and lobed to toothed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The beak of the fruit is as long as the body.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Gray and black
The flat dry seed is ribbed on each face.