Lactuca graminifolia


Lactuca graminifolia, the grassleaf lettuce is a North American species of wild lettuce. It grows in Mexico, Central America, Hispaniola, and the southern United States from Arizona to Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas.

Description

Lactuca graminifolia is a biennial herb in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family growing from a taproot a height of up to 150 cm. The top of the stem bears a multibranched inflorescence with many flower heads. Each head contains 15-20 blue or purple ray florets but no disc florets. The fruit is a brown achene.

Distribution and habitat

L. graminifolia's range extends from North Carolina south to Florida, and westward to Louisiana.
This species has been observed in habitats such as pine flatwoods, longleaf pine-wiregrass pinelands, and fallow fields. It grows in dry,, loamy soils.