Milk thistle

Lactuca serriola

Family: Asteraceae Genus: Lactuca Species: serriola

Synonyms: Lactuca scariola var. nieuwlandii, Lactuca scariola var. dubia, Lactuca coriacea, Lactuca auriculata, Lactuca tephrocarpa, Lactuca serriola var. integrata, Lactuca virosa var. integrifolia, Lactuca scariola var. integrata, Lactuca altaica, Lactuca scariola subsp. integrata, Lactuca latifolia, Lactuca sylvestris, Lactuca sativa subsp. serriola, Hieracium lactuca, Lactuca verticalis, Lactuca virosa, Lactuca pseudovirosa, Lactuca sylvestris var. integrifolia, Lactuca dubia, Lactuca serriola subvar. plicata, Lactuca officinarum, Lactuca serriola subsp. integrifolia, Lactuca plicata, Lactuca albicaulis, Lactuca serriola f. serriola, Lactuca integrata, Lactuca serriola f. integrifolia, Lactuca scariola var. integrifolia, Lactuca scariola, Lactuca angustana, Lactuca scariola subsp. augustanae, Wiestia spectabilis

Milk thistle (en)

Western Herbalism Properties

Actions:

sedative

Gallery

Botanical Description

Lactuca serriola, the prickly lettuce, is an erect biennial or annual herb of the daisy family, 30 to 200 cm tall, with a stiff, pale, often prickly stem that exudes a milky white latex when cut. The stiff, oblong leaves clasp the stem with arrow-shaped bases and bear a conspicuous row of sharp prickles along the midrib beneath; in full sun the leaves twist to align their edges vertically, north and south, earning it the name 'compass plant'. The inflorescence is a large, open, pyramidal panicle of many small, pale yellow flower heads composed entirely of ray florets. The fruit is a flattened, bristly achene with a long beak bearing a parachute of white hairs. The wild ancestor of cultivated lettuce, it is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia and is a widespread weed of roadsides and disturbed ground.

Native Region: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Rus, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Somalia, South European Russi, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Xinjiang, Yemen, Yugoslavia

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID

4309

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Back to Herb Database