Lactuca viminea

Λακτούκα η λυγόπλεκτη

Etymology of Lactuca viminea: ''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. Latin "viminea" means "of wickerwork, made of osiers", referring to the appearance of its inflorescence.

Lactuca viminea appears from central Cyprus, in the Troodos Mountains range and upwards, up to the Pentadaktylos Mountains range, between an altitude of 300-1900 metres. It primarily grows on roadsides, rocky slopes, and dry hillsides. Its flowering period is usually between July and October.

How to identify Lactuca viminea:

Lactuca viminea resembles Lactuca tetrantha which has a capitula containing 4 florets; its ligules are 4 mm wide; the plant is perennial, 7-30 cm high; its branches are not virgate; its inflorescence is corymbose. On the contrary, Lactuca viminea has a capitula containing 5 (or more, rarely 4) florets; its ligules are 2.5-3 mm wide; its a biennial plant, 35-150 cm high; its branches are usually virgate; its partial inflorescences are spiciform.