Lactuca saligna L.

Usually glabrous annual or biennial. Stems ascending, not or sparingly branched, glabrous, grooved, 40–60 cm tall. Lvs green, glabrous or sometimes with spines along midrib beneath. Rosette and lower stem lvs green, tapering to base, 3–10 × 1–2 cm, pinnatifid; lobes slender, linear, acute, recurved, entire. Upper lvs sessile, linear, hastate and amplexicaul at base. Infl. spicate. Capitula numerous. Involucre narrowly cylindric, 8–15 mm long; bracts imbricate, erecto-patent at fruiting; outermost bracts lanceolate, acuminate, 1/5–1/6 length of innermost bracts; innermost bracts linear, subacute to acute. Florets c. 11/2× length of involucre; corollas suberect, pale yellow. Achenes pale brown or grey, 7–8-ribbed on each face, obovate, flattened, scabrid distally on ribs; body 3–4 mm long; beak pale, 11/2–2× length of body. Pappus fine, white.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–Apr.; Fruiting: Dec.–Apr.