Prickly Lettuce

Common Name: Prickly Lettuce

Botanical Name: Latuca serriola L.

Family: Asteraceae

Life Cycle: Annual or biennial (spreads by seeds)

Defining Identification Characteristics:

• Basal rosette

• Stiff, upright, hollow flowering stem

• Leaves, roots and stems produce a milky juice when injured

• Alternate, lobed leaves

• Leaves have a smooth top

• Prickles along midrib on underside of leaves

• Large taproot

Common habitat:

• Landscape gardens

• Container plantings

• Farm fields

Noxious Weed List/Legal Status:

Eradicate Control Restricted Specially Regulated Not Listed

Additional Information:

• Prickly Lettuce - Ohio Weed Guide