Angiosperms: Dicotyledons
Asteraceae
Daisy Family
Rough white lettuceWhite lettucePrenanthes aspera Michx.
- Stem: perennial; 3’ to 4’ tall; unbranched; hairy, especially the upper third; with milky juice in the stem and leaves.
- Leaves: alternate; oval with clasping bases (sessile) and pointed tips; 4 1/2” by 1 1/2” and smaller; with occasional teeth (1/16” long); with short, stiff hairs above and below.
- Inflorescence: two or three heads on short (1/4”) stalks from the upper leaf axils; total inflorescence 4” to 8” long; cylindric.
- Heads: only ray flowers; ray flowers cream-colored, 5/8” across; outer fillaries short, inner 3/8” tall, long-hairy; flowering from mid-August to early September.
- Fruits: “seeds” (fruits) 1/4” long, ribbed; plumes 5/16” long; fruiting begins in late August.
- Habitat: very uncommon on dry to moist prairies.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties: