Lactuca sativa L.

Glabrous annual or biennial. Stem erect, branching above, grooved, c. 20–60 cm tall. Rosette and lower stem lvs bright green, tapering to base, 4–10–(15) × 3–8–(12) cm, deeply 1–2-pinnatifid; lobes broad, finely toothed, sinuate or crisped. Upper lvs becoming glaucous and pruinose-papillate, sessile, ternatifid or not divided, triangular to ovate, with rounded to oblong subamplexicaul auricles at base. Infl. diffusely paniculate. Capitula numerous, narrowly ovoid. Involucre (6)–10–12 mm long; bracts imbricate, erect or suberect at fruiting; outermost bracts ovate, obtuse, c. 1/4 length of innermost bracts; inner bracts lanceolate, obtuse. Florets 1.5–2× length of involucre; corollas erect to erecto-patent, pale yellow, sometimes violet-streaked. Achenes grey, 5–9-ribbed on each face, obovate, flattened, scabrid distally on ribs; body 3–3.5 mm long; beak pale, = body. Pappus fine, white.

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

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.; Fruiting: Jan.–Mar.