Stephanomeria lactucina A.Gray

Nomenclature

Stephanomeria lactucina A.Gray is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. Its common names are lettuce wirelettuce and woodland wirelettuce.

Distribution

This plant is native to Oregon and California, growing in coastal and inland mountain ranges including the Sierra Nevada. It occurs in many types of habitat, particularly coniferous forests.

Growth Form

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb that produces a slender, erect stem with a maximum height between 30 and 60 centimeters.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are linear or lance-shaped, reaching up to 8 centimeters long, with edges lined with widely spaced teeth.

Flower Head Structure

Solitary flower heads grow on erect peduncles. Each flower head holds up to 10 ray florets.

Floret Characteristics

Each floret has an elongated tube and a fringed pink ligule that is roughly one centimeter long.

Fruit Characteristics

Its fruit is an achene tipped with a spreading cluster of long, plumelike pappus bristles.