prickly lettuce
ExplorePlants
prickly lettuce
Lactuca serriola
Prickly lettuce is a leafy plant that grows in gardens and fields. It has sharp, spiky leaves and can grow quite tall. Some people even use it in salads!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The prickly lettuce is an upright plant with blue-green, deeply lobed leaves featuring distinctive prickles along the midrib and edges. It produces small, pale yellow, daisy-like flower heads clustered at the top of its stem, sometimes appearing almost white.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusLactuca
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its leaves can twist and point like a natural compass, guiding lost explorers.
Its white sap contains a mild latex that was once used as a folk remedy.
The plant grows so fast, it can reach over 6 feet tall in a single summer!
This plant is a wild cousin of the common garden lettuce you might eat!
Special abilities
Ability
Sun Seeker
Prickly lettuce can rotate its leaves to align vertically north-south, reducing sun exposure during peak heat to conserve water.
Ability
Prickly Shield
Prickly lettuce has spiny leaves and stems that deter herbivores from munching on its foliage, helping it survive.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Prickly lettuce has a long taproot that can reach deep into the soil for water, allowing it to thrive in dry conditions.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-200 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Self
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its leaves.
eaten by
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbits may graze its foliage.
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Bees visit its small yellow flowers.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't touch the prickly leaves too much, as they can be sharp!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is prickly lettuce?
30-200 cm
How wide does prickly lettuce spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on prickly lettuce?
1-2 cm
When does prickly lettuce bloom?
Summer-fall
Is prickly lettuce edible?
Yes
Is prickly lettuce toxic?
None
What is prickly lettuce's lifecycle?
Annual
How is prickly lettuce pollinated?
Self
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park13 sightings12 species
California, US
Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park
You might spot Eastern Fox Squirrel, Common Raven, and Mourning Dove.
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Park40 sightings9 species
New York, US
McGuire Fields
You might spot Porcelain Berry and Common Mugwort.
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Park13 sightings8 species
New York, US
Paerdegat Basin Park
You might spot Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth and Common Mugwort.
View guide →
Park47 sightings6 species
California, US
Cabrillo Heights Park
You might spot American Crow and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
View guide →
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