Flower ID: IMG_3308.JPG-08-04-2024 Flower name (scientific): Lactuca biennis (Moench) Fernald PY: 1940. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) lak-TOO-kuh (or lak-TOO-ka) by-EN-iss Flower name (common): Tall Blue Lettuce Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin lac meaning milk, referring to the milky sap. Specific epithet: Latin meaning of two years; biennial. Common name origin: Tall refers to the plant height, which is typically up to around 200 cm, but can reach up to 300 cm (just under 10 feet). The flowers can be pale blue in color. Lettuce comes from the fact that this plant is in the same genus as the common vegetable lettuce, which is Lactuca sativa. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 15 and typically up to 30, but can range up to 50 ray florets. Color: white or pale blue Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 30 to 80 inches (76 to 203 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to lanceolate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual/Biennial Habitat: Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.794498 Longitude: -91.494865 Altitude: 284.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Sonchus biennis Moench Methodus, 545. 1794. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na