Lactuca floridana aka Woodland Lettuce

Lactuca floridana is called Florida blue lettuce or false lettuce. It belongs to the aster family, Asteraceae. This herb grows as an annual or biennial. Its native range covers central and eastern Canada and the United States. It grows in damp woods, thickets, and along streambanks. It also grows beside roads and railways, and on disturbed ground.

Plants stand upright, reaching 2–7 feet [0.61–2.13 metres] tall. NC State gives a narrower height range of 2–6 feet [0.61–1.83 metres]. They spread 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres] wide. The smooth stems have green and purple tones. They hold white, milky sap and lack a scent. Green leaves have deep lobes and a dandelion-like outline. Their shape ranges from narrow and lance-shaped to triangular. Each leaf has pinnate veins, toothed edges, and a pointed tip. The leaf base narrows toward its point of attachment.

Loose panicles carry small, pale blue to nearly white flower heads. Each head spans about 0.04 feet [0.013 metres]. It holds 10–20 ray florets and lacks disc florets. Missouri Botanical Garden lists flowering from July through October. Chicago Botanic Garden also records blooms in May and June. The flowers draw pollinators and add some color to shade gardens. Brown fruits follow the blooms. Each flattened achene has a short beak and white bristles. These bristles help the fruit drift on the wind.

Grow this lettuce in fertile soil rich in organic matter. Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State favor partial to full shade. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists full sun as suitable. Keep the soil moist; the plant also tolerates wet ground. It needs a steady supply of water. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 3–8. Plants reproduce by seed and can maintain wild stands through self-seeding. They suit damp woodland, pond-edge, native, and edible gardens. Their weedy growth limits their value as ornamental plants.

The leaves are edible, though their bitter taste limits their use. Young basal leaves can go raw into salads. Older leaves can be cooked as greens. Serious pest and disease trouble is not usual. Possible problems include mildew, leaf spots, rot, wilt, and mosaic virus. Aphids, leafminers, whiteflies, slugs, and snails may also cause damage.