Species Detail Forb

Plant		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Lactuca ludoviciana - biannual lettuce Synonyms: Latuca campestris Other Common Names: prairie lettuce Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Asteraceae
Plant


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Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Biennial or perennial
General Desc: Leafy stems arise from a taproot. Both the leaves and stems contain a milky sap.
Identification notes: 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.
Height: 1 to 5 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Prefers moist but well drained soil in prairies, low ground, or roadsides.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 5500 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellow to purplish Shape: Daisy or dandelion-like not in clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: Flowers are yellow, but become purplish with age.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Pinnatifid Leaf Margin: Lobed Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves can vary widely from narrow to oblong to pinnatifid and lobed to toothed.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Gray and black
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: The beak of the fruit is as long as the body.
Seed Notes: The flat dry seed is ribbed on each face.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer