Lapsana communis

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 811. 1753.

IntroducedIllustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 19. Treatment on page 257. Mentioned on page 255.

Leaves: blades 1–15(–30) × 1–7(–10) cm. Heads 5–25(–100+). Calyculi: bractlets keeled in fruit, 0.5–1 mm. Involucres 5–10 × 3–4 mm. Phyllaries 3–9 mm. Corollas 7–10 mm. Cypselae 3–5 mm. 2n = 12, 14, 16.


Phenology: Flowering Apr–Sep.
Habitat: Mesic woods, sheltered waste areas, roadsides, stream banks
Elevation: 50–1900 m

Distribution

V19-342-distribution-map.gif

Introduced; Greenland, B.C., Ont., Que., Sask., Alaska, Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Eurasia.

Discussion

Lapsana communis is widely distributed in North America. It is easily recognized by the abruptly constricted lyrate leaves with relatively large terminal lobes, heads of relatively small flowers with yellow corollas, keeled phyllaries, and epappose cypselae. It is aggressively weedy and often found in shady disturbed sites. The milky juice of L. communis is said to be soothing to sensitive skin, particularly on the nipples of nursing mothers.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Lapsana communis"
David J. Bogler +
Linnaeus +
Greenland +, B.C. +, Ont. +, Que. +, Sask. +, Alaska +, Ariz. +, Ark. +, Calif. +, Colo. +, Conn. +, Idaho +, Ill. +, Ind. +, Ky. +, Maine +, Md. +, Mass. +, Mich. +, Mo. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, N.C. +, N.Dak. +, Ohio +, Okla. +, Oreg. +, Pa. +, R.I. +, Tenn. +, Tex. +, Utah +, Vt. +, Va. +, Wash. +, W.Va. +, Wis. +  and Eurasia. +
50–1900 m +
Mesic woods, sheltered waste areas, roadsides, stream banks +
Flowering Apr–Sep. +
Introduced +  and Illustrated +
Undefined tribe Lactuceae +
Lapsana communis +
species +