Lactuca canadensis
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Lactuca canadensis | ||||||||||||||||
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
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Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
Lactuca canadensis L. |
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Lactuca sagittifolia |
Lactuca canadensis is a species of wild lettuce known by the common name Canada lettuce, or Canada wild lettuce. It is native to much of North America, especially in eastern regions, but it can be found all across the continent, having been introduced widely. This is a generally biennial herb in the daisy family growing from a taproot to maximum heights between one half and two meters or more. The leaves are deeply lobed and occasionally toothed. The top of the stem bears an inflorescence with many flower heads, each up to a centimeter wide when open. The heads have many pale yellow ray florets. The fruit is a dark-colored achene about half a centimeter long with a white pappus.