Prickly lettuce
Lactuca scariola L. [Asteraceae]
Togechisya (トゲチシャ, 刺萬苣)
Life form: annual - biennial forb
Distribution: widespread weed in cool to tropical regions (exotic to Japan)
Habitat: sunny sites, e.g., crop field, waste ground, roadside verge
Chromosome number: 2n = 18
Synonyms
Lactuca serriola L. (the standard)
Varieties
f. integrifolia (Bogenh.) G. Beck. (マルバトゲチシャ): leaves non-laciniated
Lactuca scariola in Hokkaido
1
2
3
4
[1] A whole plant. [2] Close-up to inflorescences. [3] Leaves (f. integrifolia). This species has dimorphic leaves. [4] leaves of the type. Compare to [3]. [1/4] At N25/W1, West Ward, Sapporo, on July 28 and August 1 2011, respectively. [2/3] At a parking lot along a radoside at West Ward, Sapporo, on August 30 2008.