Minnesota Wildflowers


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Lactuca biennis (Tall Blue Lettuce)

Plant Info
Also known as: Blue Wood Lettuce
Genus:Lactuca
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:annual, biennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; moist woods, thickets
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:2 to 7 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 7+petals panicle

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in a tightly packed cluster at the top of the plant that spreads out as the plant matures. Smaller clusters develop from the leaf axils near the top of the plant. Individual flowers are about ¼ inch across with 15 to 30 pale blue to whitish petals and numerous stamens with curly blue tips.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves become progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. Those near the base of the plant are up to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide, deeply divided into several wide coarsely toothed lobes with pointed tips. They are roughly triangular or arrow-head shaped in outline, with “winged” leaf stems. Towards the top of the plant the lobes are fewer and narrower, and leaves have little or no leaf stem. All leaves are hairy, especially the underside. Attachment is alternate.The main stem is hairy and often tinged or spotted purple.

Fruit:

[photo of fruit] The seed head is about 1 inch in diameter; each seed has a tuft of tan fluff to carry it off in the wind.

Notes:

Tall Blue Lettuce is similar to Wild Lettuce. The latter has hairless leaves that change shape as the ascend the stem. The leaves of Tall Blue Lettuce are hairy and the lobed leaves just become smaller.

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  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN August 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Maureen C in SE Winona County
on: 2009-08-30 07:01:17

This is growing in my flower border, Winona. I live very close to the Mississippi River, river mile 711.

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