A tall plant that may be over 2m tall, but can be much shorter.  The leaves are often deeply pinnately lobed but may be unlobed and sharply toothed.  The stems and leaf midribs are usually tinged maroon, sometimes strongly so.  The flowers are small and a light yellow and in panicles.  The ripe fruits or achenes are blackish, red-purple or maroon, with wings and a white beak. 

Lactuca serriola (Prickly Lettuce) has greenish-grey ripe achenes.  It usually has unlobed, toothed leaves and pale stems and midribs, but may also have lobed leaves.  

Leaves very variable, but more often lobed, and usually maroon tinged; stem and prickly midribs also tinged maroon.  Ripe achenes or fruits maroon to blackish - this is the most reliable feature

For a certain identification, we recommend that achenes are examined and photographed.  Also photograph the plant in its habitat showing stem colour and leaf shape, and the leaf undersides. 

Disturbed ground, roadside verges, waste places & banks of streams.

July to September.

Annual or biennial.

Frequent