Lactuca serriola aka Prickly Lettuce

Taxonomy

Lactuca serriola, also known as prickly lettuce, milk thistle (not to be confused with Silybum marianum, also called milk thistle), compass plant, and scarole, is an annual or biennial plant in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and north Africa, and has become naturalized elsewhere. This plant is commonly considered a weed of orchards, roadsides, and field crops. It is the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The central stem of Lactuca serriola can grow up to 7 feet tall and is light green or dull white, glabrous, and round in circumference. The alternate leaves are blue-green, glabrous, and pinnately lobed with a few teeth, and each leaf has short prickles along its margin and the underside of the central vein. The base of each leaf has a pair of angular lobes that clasp the stem. Both the stems and leaves contain a white milky latex. Panicles of pale yellow flowerheads are produced from the central stem and upper side stems, with each flowerhead consisting of about 20 pale yellow ray florets and several blue-green bracts underneath. The blooming period can occur from mid-summer to fall. Each floret produces an achene with a thread-like beak that terminates in a small tuft of white hair. The root system consists of a taproot that is stout and deep, and this plant spreads by reseeding itself. Lactuca serriola is also known as the compass plant because in the sun, the upper leaves twist round to hold their margins upright. Oil Lettuce, a super rare houseplant, is a variation of this plant that needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Oil Lettuce likes soil that is well-draining and may benefit from a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

Common names

Prickly Lettuce, Wild Lettuce, Milk Thistle

How to care for Prickly Lettuce

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Prickly Lettuce is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Prickly Lettuce should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Prickly Lettuce loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Prickly Lettuce requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Prickly Lettuce will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Prickly Lettuce plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Prickly Lettuce does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Region of origin

Prickly Lettuce’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia