Λακτούκη η πριονόφυλλη
Etymology of Lactuca serriola
''Lactuca'' is derived from the Latin verb ''lacto'', meaning "contain milk", hence "lactuca" is a "milky plant", referring to the white, milky juice of the root and stems of the plant. The "Serriola" etymology is unknown and the closest Latin word, "serrata" means "toothed like a saw", which term actually matches the shape of its leaves.
Lactuca serriola in Cyprus
Lactuca serriola is by far the most common species of the genus in Cyprus. It is actually one of the most popular plants that grow in the Cyprus habitat and it grows at any altitude. It is a plant that is absent in the Akamas regions and the Karpasia peninsula. It primarily grows in gardens, sidewalks, roadsides, and fields. Its flowering period is from June until October.
Lactuca serriola is typically an annual or biennial plant that can grow quite tall, often reaching up to 1.8 meters or more. One notable characteristic of this plant is its daily floral rhythm: its flower heads generally open in the early morning and tend to close by midday, especially as the sun becomes intense. Regarding animal consumption, Lactuca serriola contains a bitter, milky latex which includes compounds like lactucarium. While it's not generally considered highly toxic, this bitterness often makes it unpalatable to livestock, including chickens, which may avoid it, particularly if other forage is available.
How to recognize Lactuca serriola
Lactuca serriola looks similar to Lactuca saligna. Here are their differences:
Leaves
Lactuca serriola (Prickly Lettuce):
Characterized by spiny-toothed margins and a distinctive row of spines on the underside of the midrib of the leaves. This is a primary distinguishing feature, earning it the common name "prickly lettuce."
Leaf blades are typically lobed (runcinate-pinnatifid), though an unlobed form (forma integrifolia) also exists. The lobes are often irregular.
Stem leaves are sessile and often clasp the stem, and are held vertically in a north-south plane, giving it the nickname "compass plant"
Lactuca saligna (Willowleaf Lettuce):
Leaves are notably very long and narrow (linear to narrowly lanceolate), giving it the "willowleaf" common name.
They are typically entire (without lobes) or only slightly toothed, and generally lack the prominent prickles found on the midrib of L. serriola
Growth Habit and Stem
Lactuca serriola:
An annual or biennial plant that can grow quite tall, up to 1.5-2 meters.
Stems are erect, often branched in the upper half, and are spiny at the base
Lactuca saligna:
An annual or biennial, generally slenderer than L. serriola, growing to heights of 0.5-1 meter, occasionally taller.
