Lactuca canadensis
canada wild lettuce
Overview
Lactuca canadensis is a tall annual or biennial in the daisy family, growing 3-8 ft (0.9-2.4 m) tall, occasionally to 10 ft (3 m), on a single stout, often reddish stem that branches near the top. The leaves are 4-12 in (10-30 cm) long, deeply lobed to nearly entire on the same plant, and clasp the stem at the base; they release a milky white sap when broken. From midsummer into fall it produces open, branched sprays of small pale yellow flower heads about 0.25-0.5 in (6-12 mm) across, each lasting a single morning. The heads ripen into fluffy seed clusters with parachute-tipped seeds that scatter on the wind. It grows in open woods, clearings, fence rows, roadsides, and disturbed ground on a wide range of soils. As a short-lived, weedy plant it self-sows freely and can appear uninvited in cultivated ground. The coarse, leafy stem adds height and produces abundant seed eaten by birds. Young foliage is bitter, reflecting the lettuce family connection.
Native Range
Lactuca canadensis is native to North America, ranging across most of Canada and the United States from coast to coast, south into Mexico. It grows in open woods, clearings, and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Used in wildlife plantings, naturalized meadows, and the back of native borders where its height suits, spaced 18-24 in (45-60 cm) apart. Grown as a seed source for finches and other birds. Suited to rough, disturbed, or restoration ground rather than tidy beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 8'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Pale yellow flower heads open in branched sprays from July through September, each head lasting only a single morning before closing. New heads open in succession over many weeks. Bees and other small insects visit the flowers, and seed-eating birds take the ripe seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight