Description
Prickly Lettuce is an annual or biennial plant, slightly foetid, that is commonly considered a weed of orchards, roadsides and field crops.
This name is a synonym of Lactuca serriola L. Lactuca serriola, also called prickly lettuce, is an annual or biennial plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. The leaves grow along a spiny stem and get progressively smaller as they reach its top. They emit latex when cut.
Many flowers are produced and usually appear in the upper part of the plant. It has a hairless reddish stem, containing a milky latex. The achenes are grey, bristly tipped. The pappus is white with equal length haiPlant Specifications
| Common Name | Prickly Lettuce, compass plant, bankahoo, kaahu, saaleet |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 2 to 6 feet |
| Flower Colour | Pale yellow, often tinged purple |
| Bloom Time | July to September |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Lactuca scariola care
This is a weed throughout temperate regions. It can hwoever be harvested and eaten, although it is somewhat bitter.Enjoys a full sun or partial sun position in your garden. Keep in mind when planting that Prickly Lettuce is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | Light sandy loam well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 30 degrees C |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Lactuca scariola special feature
Prefers a light sandy loam in a sunny position. The wild lettuce is cultivated for the oil in its seed in Egypt. A compass plant, the top leaves align north-south.
Lactuca scariola uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for an ornamental purpose
Culinary Use:
- Lactuca serriola can be eaten as a salad, although it has something of a bitter taste
- Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked