Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Lactuca biennis
Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fernald
Tall Blue Lettuce
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Lactuca spicata, Lactuca spicata var. integrifolia, Mulgedium spicatum, Mulgedium spicatum var. integrifolium
USDA Symbol: LABI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual , BiennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall, often much shorter.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , BlueBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Habitat: Forest Edge
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FAC | FACU | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Lactuca biennis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lactuca biennis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lactuca biennis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-29Research By: TWC Staff