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Plant Identification: SOLVED: Tall, leafy weed or ?

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    Communities > Forums > Plant Identification
    Forum: Plant IdentificationReplies: 7, Views: 83
    AuthorContent

    RickCorey_WA

    RickCorey_WA
    Everett, WA (Zone 8a)

    June 11, 2012 11:37 AM

    Post #9160841

    I've tried to start many things in this bed and suddenly up popped a very helathy vigorous leafy plant I don't recognize. Usually if something is a weed, I have hundreds, but there's just this one in the back yard, plus what might be it's baby brother in the front yard.

    Can anyone identify it? Will it bloom?

    Thanks in advance.

    Thumbnail by RickCorey_WA   Thumbnail by RickCorey_WA
    Click an image for an enlarged view.

    altagardener
    Calgary, AB (Zone 3b)

    June 11, 2012 11:39 AM

    Post #9160846

    Yes, it will bloom. It's a weed, prickly lettuce, Lactuca serriola.

    RickCorey_WA

    RickCorey_WA
    Everett, WA (Zone 8a)

    June 11, 2012 11:46 AM

    Post #9160859

    Do you think this tiny thing is the same plant? Or, what else might it be? The bed it appeared in has had fewer things attempted, but it doesn't look at all like anything I remember trying to start there.

    P.S. I just had to show off my big Pacific Giant Delphinium, next to that ?weed?
    It took me a few years to get one seedling survivor past the Slug Army, but now he's too big for the slugs to destroy.

    Thumbnail by RickCorey_WA      Thumbnail by RickCorey_WA
    Click an image for an enlarged view.

    RickCorey_WA

    RickCorey_WA
    Everett, WA (Zone 8a)

    June 11, 2012 11:48 AM

    Post #9160861

    Wow, that must be a rfecord for speed! Answered while still up-loading the second photo!

    "prickly lettuce" Lactuca serriola ... edible?

    http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53160/

    All but one of the photos here have leaves with very patterned edges (for example ).

    But m y plant has very plain, large oval leaves. I do have spines along the edges once my leaves get big, but no patterned, cut edges. (indentations?)

    Also, the closest photo in Plant Search to mine shows big spikes along the mid-rib, an d I don't recall spines on the mid-rib. I'll look again tonight. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/14459/





    This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 11:58 AM
    kwanjin
    West Valley City, UT (Zone 7a)

    June 11, 2012 1:22 PM

    Post #9160970

    I don't think that second one is the same thing.

    Prickly lettuce is not recommended for eating. That milky sap makes me itch for days.

    RickCorey_WA

    RickCorey_WA
    Everett, WA (Zone 8a)

    June 11, 2012 7:26 PM

    Post #9161377

    OK, I'll yank the big one and give the baby another week or two to see what it does.

    Thank you!
    altagardener
    Calgary, AB (Zone 3b)

    June 11, 2012 8:18 PM

    Post #9161477

    RickCorey_WA wrote:
    All but one of the photos here have leaves with very patterned edges (for example ).

    But m y plant has very plain, large oval leaves. I do have spines along the edges once my leaves get big, but no patterned, cut edges. (indentations?)

    Also, the closest photo in Plant Search to mine shows big spikes along the mid-rib, an d I don't recall spines on the mid-rib. I'll look again tonight. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/14459/
    This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 11:58 AM


    Lactuca serriola can also have entire leaves (no indentations), which is sometimes referred to as var. integrata. Here are sites that mention it:
    http://www.idealhomegarden.com/outdoor-living/garden-weed-id...
    http://montana.plant-life.org/species/lactuca_serrio.htm
    http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/prickly_let...

    I can see spines on the underside mid-rib in your first photo.

    RickCorey_WA

    RickCorey_WA
    Everett, WA (Zone 8a)

    June 12, 2012 7:15 PM

    Post #9162887

    >> I can see spines on the underside mid-rib in your first photo.

    Hunnh! You're right.


    And the photo of Prickly Lettuce in the first link is exactly like what I have.

    Thanks again!

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