About Lactuca saligna L.
Lactuca saligna L. is an annual herb that grows from a taproot, reaching heights of 0.5–1 m (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄2 ft), and occasionally grows taller. It is much more slender than great lettuce (Lactuca virosa) and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Its spindly, mostly erect stem has bristles on its lower section. The leaves of Lactuca saligna are very long and narrow, growing up to 15 cm (6 in) long but rarely wider than 1 cm (1⁄2 in), and are usually unlobed and toothless. A narrow inflorescence occupies the upper part of the stem. The inflorescence branches may lie pressed against the main stem, or spread outward. When open, the flower head is up to about 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) wide, and contains rectangular pale yellow ray florets with toothed tips. There are no disc florets. The fruit is a spiny-ribbed dark brown achene (also called a cypsela), almost 1 cm (1⁄2 in) long, topped with a long white pappus. In Britain, Lactuca saligna flowers from July to August.
