LACTUCA ALPESTRIS

Family:- COMPOSITAE/Sect. PHOENIXOPUS

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Lactuca viminea subsp. alpestris, Phaenixopus alpestris, Scariola

alpestris.

Meaning:- Lactuca (L) Reference to the milky sap.

Alpestris (L) Of mountains, of the lower Alps.

General description:- Usually glabrous biennial or perennial with fusiform root.

Stems:-

1) 7-25 cm, with few branches in upper part.

Leaves:-

1) Glaucous, decurrent with long, appressed, linear auricles.

2) Lower pinnatifid to pinnatisect with linear-lanceolate, often dentate segments, the

undivided part of the lamina less than 2 cm wide.

3) Upper often entire.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence a much-branched or spike-like panicle.

2) Capitula subsessile.

3) Ligules pale yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes c. 8 mm; body narrowly oblong-elliptical, 5- to 15-ribbed, black; beak

c.½ as long as the body.

Key features:-

1) Leaves decurrent; lower pinnatifid to pinnatisect; undivided part of lamina less

than 2 cm wide.

2) Achenes 7-9 mm; beak not more than ½ as long as body.

3) Stem 7-25 cm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky slopes with thorn-cushion communities, screes, dolines. (400-)

1000-2300 m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic. Lefka Ori, Kedros, Psiloritis, Kofinas, Dikti and

Afendis Kavousi.

Flowering time:- June-Sept.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton