Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Lactuca pulchella A.P. de Candolle
(Chicory Lettuce, Blue Lettuce)


Family: Asteraceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Lactuca tatarica (Linnaeus) C.A. Meyer subsp. pulchella (Pursh) A.P. de Candolle
Mulgedium pulchellum (Pursh) G. Don
Sonchus pulchellus Pursh

Lactuca pulchella is perennial herb with blue-purple flowerheads. It can be found in disturbed areas, but also in lower Ponderosa Pine forest. The leaves are lanceolate and usually entire but may be shallowly dentate especially at the base. The rays have two shallow notches at the apex.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Lactuca pulchella, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009



Lactuca pulchella, closeup of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009


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