Lactuca floridana

Similar to Lactuca canadensis which has blue flowers, while Lactuca canadensis have yellow flowers. Terminal lobes of leaf triangular. Hollow stems. Basal rosette the 1st year.

The following information is for the genus Lactuca: Animals that eat the seeds: Goldfinch. Animals that eat the plant: Antelope, White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951).

The Cajun name for this plant, "laitue," is French for lettuce and refers to the fact that it has milky sap and is edible like lettuce (Holmes 1990). The young leaves can be cooked in one change of water to remove the bitter milk (Medsger 1966). Usually found in disturbed areas throughout Louisiana and east and central Texas.

Forest clearings and along streams and lakes in rich, moist soil, thickets, woods, and moist open places.