Lapsana communis |
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common nipplewort, nipplewort |
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Leaves | blades 1–15(–30) × 1–7(–10) cm. |
Involucres | 5–10 × 3–4 mm. |
Corollas | 7–10 mm. |
Phyllaries | 3–9 mm. |
Calyculi | bractlets keeled in fruit, 0.5–1 mm. |
Heads | 5–25(–100+). |
Cypselae | 3–5 mm. |
2n | = 12, 14, 16. |
Lapsana communis |
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Phenology | Flowering Apr–Sep. |
Habitat | Mesic woods, sheltered waste areas, roadsides, stream banks |
Elevation | 50–1900 m (200–6200 ft) |
Distribution |
AK; AR; AZ; CA; CO; CT; ID; IL; IN; KY; MA; MD; ME; MI; MO; NC; ND; NJ; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; TN; TX; UT; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; BC; ON; QC; SK; Greenland; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]
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Discussion | Lapsana communis is widely distributed in North America. It is easily recognized by the abruptly constricted lyrate leaves with relatively large terminal lobes, heads of relatively small flowers with yellow corollas, keeled phyllaries, and epappose cypselae. It is aggressively weedy and often found in shady disturbed sites. The milky juice of L. communis is said to be soothing to sensitive skin, particularly on the nipples of nursing mothers. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 19, p. 257. |
Parent taxa | Asteraceae > tribe Cichorieae > Lapsana |
Name authority | Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 2: 811. (1753) |
Web links |
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