Lactuca serriola L.

A common weed in towns and along moist roadsides in New Mexico. In some areas the pseudanthia are rarely seen open. It is distinguished from other Lactuca in the southwest by having prickly margins on the leaves.

Pseudanthia at Wagon Mound Cienega, Mora County, New Mexico, 7 Aug 2011.

Side view of a pseudanthium, showing phyllaries, at Wagon Mound Cienega, 7 Aug 2011.

A cauline leaf, with some leaf mold, at Wagon Mound Cienega, 7 Aug 2011.

Fruits (cypselae) at Wagon Mound Cienega, 7 Aug 2011.