Lapsana communis L. Common nipplewort

Lapsana communis L. - Common nipplewort

Scientific Description:

Stems up to 125 cm. Leaves 10−150 × 10−70 mm, ovate and dentate to lyrate-pinnatifid with large terminal lobe and small lateral lobes; lower long-petiolate, upper sessile or shortly petiolate, sometimes lanceolate and entire. Capitula numerous, in a ± corymbose panicle. Involucre 5−10 × 2−5 mm; outer phyllaries 0.5−1 mm, few, ovate-lanceolate, inner linear-oblong. Ligules (in Turkey) 2−3 × as long as involucre. Achenes 2.5−9 mm, outer much longer than inner.

subsp. intermedia

Lower and median cauline leaves usually lyrate-pinnatifid, upper usually narrower and often entire; involucre greenish; ligules about 2 x as long as involucre.

Flowering time: (May−)June−August(−October).

Habitat: Deciduous and open pine (Pinus L.) forests, rough pasture, shady slopes, stream sides, 100−2400 m.

Reference:
Sell PD (1975). Lapsana communis L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 5: 785.

Public Description:

Lapsana communis, known as “common nipplewort”, is native to Europe and southwestern Asia and widely naturalized in other regions, including North America. It is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with yellow flowers and an erect, hairy branched-stems that can grow up to 125 cm in length. It blooms between June and August and is found deciduous and open Pinus L. forests, rough pasture, shady slopes, stream sides.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/Lapsana_communis, Accessed date: 13.11.2017.

Anonymous 2 (2017). http://vanherbaryum.yyu.edu.tr/flora/azortandir/lapsanacoin/index.htm,Accessed date: 13.11.2017.

Ekim T (2012). Lapsana L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 182.