Lactuca serriola L., it is an annual or biennial herbaceous species. Stems up to 2 m or more, erect, rigid, usually lacking basal branching. Leaves rigid, arranged vertically, with a spinulose midrib on the underside. Basal leaves either entire or distinctly pinnatifid. Upper leaves entirely small and entire. Inflorescence a lax panicle composed of many heads. Involucre spreading or deflexed in fruit. Involucral bracts usually tinged with purple. Ligules pale yellow. Achenes strongly compressed, beaked; body greenish-brown, 2.9–3.2 x 1.1–1.2 x 0.4–0.5 mm, elliptic to oblanceolate, scabric, with white bristles arranged towards the apex and 6–8 ribs on each side; Thin, pale straw-colored, almost white bill, longer than the body (usually twice as long). Descending wattle, formed by two equal rows of white, silky, sparsely scabrous hairs.
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