LACTUCA TUBEROSA

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Steptorhamphus tuberosus, Wiestia tuberosa.

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

Tuberosa (L) Swollen, tuberous.

Stem:-

1) 40-60(-100) cm, sometimes branched above.

Leaves:-

1) Lower, entire to runcinate-pinnatifid, sagittate-amplexicaul, hairy;

2) Uppermost cauline lanceolate, entire.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula 1-2.

2) Involucral bracts up to 40 mm, lanceolate to ovate, usually purplish-tinged,

glabrous or nearly so.

3) Ligules yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Achene 6-15 mm; body elliptical, 1- to 3-ribbed, minutely hairy and rugulose;

beak pale, 1½- 3 times as long as body.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky slopes with evergreen scrub and open woodland, rock ledges in

gorges, generally on limestone. 0-1600 m.

Distribution:- Scattered throughout mainland Greece and Peloponnisos, rare on

the Ionia Islands. - From the Balkan Peninsula through Anatolia to Caucasia and

Iran. Widespread and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mid-Apr to June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton