CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 1 of 18

FEBRUARY 2016

In keeping with Canada’s new Anti-Spam Law, we are providing an unsubscribe option for our newsletter.

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CSAAC = QUALITY ASSURANCE

CSAAC members Professional Accredited Seed Analysts

Who provide for the Canadian Seed Industry

Quality Assurance Seed Testing.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 2 of 18

BACK TO THE BASICS!

During 2016, each month will be going “Back to the Basics”. There will be questions on basic seed

testing on the front page both for purity and germination. Please answer the questions before checking

the answers at the end of the newsletter. This is a good chance to review your skills and knowledge.

SIMILAR SPECIES OF ASTERACEAE

1.

2.

3.

4. 5.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 3 of 18

Did You Know?

The CSAAC’s “Did you know?” column is an opportunity for CSAAC Members to share interest and timely information

with other CSAAC members. Each contribution will earn you one (1 P) Participation point. Anything that you find of

interest will be of interest to other analysts. An easy way to earn points! Submissions taken anytime.

DURIAN Durio zibethenus, Durio kutejensis and other Durio spp. Malvaceae

There are 50 discrete compounds that give Durian its “unusual scent”. The durian is the fruit of several

tree species belonging to the Durio. It is native to the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia where it is

known as “the king of fruits”. The fruit is edible. It is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and

formidable thorn-covered husk. The seeds are very large. I don’t think you will see them in your lab.

The durian doesn’t just have a skin: its flesh and seeds are secured inside a well-defined fortress.

Durian rind is not just impenetrable to insects – the innumerable sharp spikes also represent a defense

against birds, rodents, etc.

The fruit can grow as large as 30 cm long and 15 cm in diameter, and it typically weighs 1-3 kgs. Its

shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown and its flesh pale yellow to

red, depending upon the species.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact.

Some people regard it as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; and others find the aroma overpowering

and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been

described variously as rotten onions, stale vomit, skunk spray, pig shit, turpentine and raw sewage

garnished with a gym sock.

The persistence of its odour, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit’s banishment from

certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.

The fruit itself though once tested is a delight and quite addictive and surpasses in flavour all other fruits

of the world. The fruit contains a high amount of sugar, Vitamin C and is a good source of

carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Durian seems to rival chocolate in terms of its addictive nature.

It seems likely that the Durian has a rosy future ahead of it – as a cultivated crop. While the tree likes

rainforest conditions, it can be cultivated elsewhere – with a little care. Scientists have been actively

breeding the durian and has produced varieties with a less powerful odor, increased size, better storage

properties – and a somewhat blander taste.

Consumers do not like the durian’s spikes so that is the next thing on the breeding plan is to develop

spineless durians. A future unusual fruit to look forward to in the grocery store.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 4 of 18

CSAAC Annual $500 Post-Secondary Student Grant

CSAAC is offering their annual student grant in the amount of $500 for post-secondary

studies in the field of agriculture and/or plant sciences at a recognized Canadian

institution. CSAAC wishes to provide an incentive to encourage students to pursue

degrees related to agriculture so as to promote the development of sufficient expertise in

the agricultural sector for the future.

Applications for grant will be accepted at any time throughout the year; however, the

deadline is May 15th for the following fall term. No exceptions are allowed.

The student can be in any year of study in one of the agriculture and/or plant sciences

programs at a recognized Canadian institution. Selection criteria will be based on

fulltime enrolment, extracurricular activities and an accompanying essay. The student’s

past and current involvement in the agriculture industry including the family farm and/or

seed testing is a benefit to the nominee for a successful application.

Application and further instructions along with French translations may be found on the

CSAAC website at www.seedanalysts.com.

If you require further assistance or for information on services provided by our CSAAC

members and how to locate them in your area, or for further information on membership

and joining our association contact us at:

Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada Inc. (CSAAC)

Box 208, 301 Rothesay Street Douglas, Manitoba R0K 0R0 Canada

E-mail at: csaacexecutivedirector@gmail.com

Visit our web site at: www.seedanalysts.ca

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 5 of 18

This section in Breaking Dormancy will capture the CFIA's answers to your questions

about the Seeds Regulations, Grade Tables and the Canadian Methods and Procedures

for Testing Seed. CSAAC members can send their questions for the CFIA via the

CSAAC office or directly to CFIA. Confidentially will be maintained.

QUESTIONS FROM YOU & ANSWERS FROM CFIA

Question 1: Can dormant seed % be added to germination % results to meet Canadian standards?

Answer: For nearly all species fresh (or also called dormant) seed cannot be added to normal

germination% to meet the Grade Table standards.

The only exception in the M&P is Western wheatgrass. For Western wheatgrass, a tetrazolium test

must be done and the % dormant seeds are added to the % germination.

But note:

For all legumes listed in Grade Tables 8, 9, 10 and for sainfoin, hairy vetch and common vetch, if fresh

seeds are found at the end of the test, the test is extended for a maximum of 5 days and only any normal

seedlings germinating are added to the % germination, not any fresh or dormant seed.

Any other crop kind that may have seeds that appear fresh should be included into the dead. A

tetrazolium test may be done but the results are used as information only.

See below for the relevant M&P Sections.

Section 4.3.4 Ungerminated Seeds

a. Fresh Seeds Seeds which have failed to germinate but appear firm, fresh and capable of germination at the end of the

prescribed test period and under the prescribed test conditions. Such seeds may be viable but dormant.

Dormant Seeds

Viable seeds, other than hard seeds, which fail to germinate when, provided the prescribed germination

conditions.

Section 4.8 Treatments for promoting Germination of Dormant Seeds

Except in the case of certain species of Fabaceae (section 4.10.7) and Western wheatgrass (see Section

4.7.1), dormant or hard seeds are not included when seed is graded in accordance with the germination

standards of the Seed Regulations. Therefore, in order to estimate the germination potential of a sample

when dormant sees are present, appropriate dormancy breaking methods must be used.

Section 4.7.6 Tetrazolium Testing

……………….For Western wheatgrass a tetrazolium test is conducted to estimate the % dormant seeds

(see section 4.7.1). For other crops, tetrazolium test results are to be used for information only, not as

the basis for grading……

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 6 of 18

Question 2: Can hard seed% be added to germination% results to meet Canadian standards?

Answer: For some species, yes.

Section 4.10.7 Hard Seeds

Hard seededness can be removed by mechanical scarification. Mechanical scarification is when the seed

is cut, pierced, filed or sandpapered to improve permeability to moisture and gasses. Care must be taken

to scarify the seed coat at a suitable place in order to avoid damaging the embryo and the resulting

seedling. The best places are either immediately above the tips of the cotyledons or to the sides of the

cotyledons.

The percentage of hard seeds is to be recorded and added to the percent germination for all legumes

listed in Grade Tables VIII, IX and X and for sainfoin, hairy vetch and common vetch of Grade Table

II.1. If fresh seeds of these kinds, or seeds which have just started to germinate are present at the end of

the prescribed germination period, remove all hard seeds (record their number) and continue the test no

more than one-half the number of days prescribed for final count to a maximum five days. The

additional normal seedlings must be included in the percentage of germination.

Useful tip: (find on CSAAC website)

The electronic version of the M&P can be searched for key words.

If the search box does not appear press the CTRL and F keys to make it appear.

If you use the search box to find ‘hard seed’ you would find hard seed in:

Contents list: 1.3.3, 4.3.4b, 4.3.4c, 4.8, 4.10.7, 4.11.2, 4.11.3; 4.11.4a, iii, xi, c; 4.13, 4.14

Notes on pages 4-34, 4-45 and 4-47.

CSAAC OFFICE ADDITIONAL NOTE

The order of % on the Report of Analysis is:

Normal %

Abnormal %

Hard Seeds %

Fresh Seeds %

Dead Seeds %

This percentages must round off to 100% in total; please see the M&P for details. The last % rounded

is the Dead Seeds which is to ensure that the sum for the total will be 100%.

This information is invaluable to your client. Even if you cannot include the hard, fresh and dead in

germination percentage, classifying everything as dead for these three categories will not provide the

information the client needs to make the best decisions for their crop lots.

If you use a breaking dormancy technique not listed in the M&P rules, you must include this in the

remarks on the Report of Analysis.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 7 of 18

BOARD MEETING – WEDNESDAY MARCH 16th, 2016

To avoid conflicts with other seed industry meetings, the CSAAC Board of Directors have voted to have all future meetings held during the last part of May. A listing will be available on the website not only listing dates but locations.

If you feel that you have a location in your region that you would rather have the convention (other than the every 3 years in Saskatoon), please contact CSAAC office.

If you have any issues or concerns, you wish to be brought up at the meeting please

advise the CSAAC office. The CSAAC board wants your feedback to ensure we keep

CSAAC on the right track.

Please feel free to contact at any time:

your local CSAAC regional branch director

contact directly our President Crystal Dentman at crystal.dentman@biovision.ca

any member of the Board of Directors

CSAAC office at csaacexecutivedirector@gmail.com.

NEW WEED SEED ORDER REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

CSAAC will be holding regional workshops in your area on the New Weed Seed Order.

There will be schedule coming out in a couple of months. If you have a location or can

provide your lab as the location for the workshop. Please advise the CSAAC office.

There will be a minimum amount of participants signed up in order to have the workshop

in your area.

The New Weed Seed Order is important for all seed analysts to know even if you only

deal with germination in your lab as you may come across prohibited seeds in your

germination sample and you have to report these.

Watch for sign-up sheets for you to sign up your lab staff. It is important as it will be in

your region to have as many as possible from your lab attend so they get first-hand

knowledge. Betty

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 8 of 18

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS – HANDS ON LEARNING

For our regional workshops to be successful, we needs samples of weeds and crops

both for purity and germination. At this time, we are collecting samples for seed

herbarium which will be used during our purity workshops.

If you have any extra samples of weeds from the minimum list including noxious or crop

kinds, please send them by regular post to the CSAAC office.

Thank you for assisting in this endeavour to offer continuing education in CSAAC

regional areas for seed analysts to attend in their own backyard.

Betty

IMPORTANT NOTICE – CHANGE OF DATES

2016 SEED ANALYST ACCREDITATION EXAMINATION

April 1st – application deadline

September 22nd - Germination examination

September 23rd - Purity examination

Further information, can be obtained by contacting:

Seed Science & Technology Section, Saskatoon Laboratory

Canadian Food Inspection Agency / Government of Canada

SSTS@inspection.gc.ca / Telephone: 306-385-7824

Section de sciences et de technologies des semences, Laboratoire de Saskatoon

Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments / Gouvernement du Canada

SSTS@inspection.gc.ca / Téléphoner : 306-385-7824

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 9 of 18

EXAMINATION PREPARATION

Examinations are hard. No ifs, ands or buts. The most important factor when the

decision has been made to go to the next step in accreditation by writing the examination

is being prepared. Yes all these years you have been learning, working on the job,

making slides, reading and absorbing information. Now comes the crunch time when

you have to organize and prepare for an examination.

Yes I said, “Organize”.

To be successful, you need to be prepared and the only way to do that is to have a

personal organized written schedule that you have made yourself so you have a personal

commitment to it. You have to build time into your work schedule and yes into your

personal life as well. If you are not willing to make that commitment of personal time,

my suggestion is not to write the examination as you will not be successful.

Tips for Success:

1. Put yourself into CFIA shoes and look at “what are they going to ask me on an

examination”. CFIA is not trying to trick you but they are trying to evaluate you. These

aren’t going to be the easy questions and the friendly pats on the back that you get from

your mentor at work. They don’t know you as a person. They are only looking at your skills

and knowledge.

2. Make yourself lots and I mean lots of written questions to test yourself with. Have a

separate answer key. Mix the questions up. A selection of no more than 2 pages at a

time. Keeps you more focused. Cover every topic you can think of.

3. Read that M&P from back to front. Highlight. Make notes in the margins. Use sticky

notes. Do the same with the Seed Regulations and Grade Tables. Know it like the back of

your hand. Just because some of it is “open book” doesn’t make it any easier. In some

cases it makes it harder. If you know these documents inside and out, you can look quickly

for the answer to reference and not lose valuable time searching the pages when writing

your examination.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 10 of 18

4. When you write the examination, take a look through it. Answer all questions. Go through

it and answer all the questions you know right away. Don’t dwell on questions you don’t

know. Leave those to the end. Then go back to them. If you dwell, you lose valuable time

and get discouraged.

5. Always and I can’t stress this enough. Always at the end when you are finished your

examination. If time is left, do NOT leave. Start at the beginning and review to make sure

that you have answered all the questions. Perhaps there is something you can add to make

something clearer. This is too important to try to be the first one out the door.

6. Flash Cards – just like in kindergarten. Have common name on one side with botanical name

and classification on the other side. Start by doing sections like Noxious Weeds, Crops,

etc. Then once you have these perfect every time then mix them up. Use a colour other

than white like yellow or pink if you wish. This is just easier on your eyes. Write up the cards

yourself. Keep them with you. In your purse or in your car. Any time you are waiting or

have a minute, do a few.

7. Make up tables of the list of weeds and crops. Mix them up. Have an answer key for

each. Then on a regular basis pull a page and write in the classifications and botanical

names.

8. Seed Slides – make sure you have a full set of slides. Review them regularly and study the

seeds. Make yourself hand drawn pictures. That’s right, you heard me hand drawn

pictures! Then beside them put families, common, botanical, classifications, characteristics

to look for. Label parts. Hand drawn seedlings as well. Draw up normal and abnormal

seedlings.

9. Coin Cards – get the CFIA reference seed coin book. And pull them out and check these as

well until you can identify them without hesitation. Make up your own coin cards.

10. Start thinking in botanical names. Drives people in your lab crazy. This really helps get the

names to stick in your head.

11. Read the study guides provided and take each section and make sure that you have studied

and covered everything you can think of to cover that section. Review it with an accredited

analyst to see if you have missed anything.

12. Make slides of similar species/families/etc. together on a slide to study. Make notes on the

differences. Review and Review.

13. Search the internet and get colour pictures to reference the seeds you need to know. Not as

good as the actual seed but a good study tool. Make up some tests with the pictures. You

could make flash cards as well.

14. Seedling evaluation handbook available on CD. Print yourself a copy and cut out the pictures

and make a study guide for germination. Put it with your hand drawn ones.

15. Plant the crops that you will be examined on and count them off. Over and over

again. Practice counts. Get someone to check your normal and abnormal seedlings. Always

reference the M&P and the Seed Evaluation handbook. Use the correct terminology when

referring to the seedling parts.

16. Know the inside and outside of the seeds as well and again use the correct botanical

terminology.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 11 of 18

17. Have an accredited analyst prepare you samples to spike through with an answer key. Then

go through them over and over and over again. Along with this make up crop/species

separation samples. Cover everything. I had vetches on mine. The examination can cover

anything so be prepared. Just because it isn’t a common crop, doesn’t mean it won’t be on

an examination.

18. Get yourself a good botanical textbook and use it. Mark it up, highlight it and use sticky

notes. If you have been studying along with your M&P, seed regulations and grade tables,

they should look like they have been run over by a truck.

19. Pure seed – read and study this part closely. It is always covered. If you have samples,

make up a study sheet.

20. Dictionary of terms – make your own dictionary of terms. Type or write doesn’t matter. But

memorize these definitions.

21. On examination day, take a bottle of water with you. Several pens and pencils. Keep

calm. If you start to panic, breathe. If you have questions, ask them! The adjudicators are

good people and they will assist you as best as they can.

These are just a few tips. Make the commitment, practice and put the hours in

and your success rate upon examination will be higher. Good Luck!

CSAAC OFFICE UPDATE

Invoices are due by February 3rd, 2016; if you have already paid, thank you. Invoices are

payable in Canadian or USA dollars. Until you are paid, the website will not allow you

to access the members’ only section.

If you have any suggestions how CSAAC or the CSAAC office can better serve your

needs, please feel free to contact our CSAAC President, Crystal Dentman or any Board

member.

Betty

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 12 of 18

CANARYSEED VERSUS CANARY SEED!

Yes, there is a difference in the way you spell the name!

Canaryseed crop for birds

Image for: Spikelets and/or florets. Taken on: 29-Jan-2007 [photographed by Steve Hurst*] U.S. National Seed Herbarium image\; (PI 1519) collected by W. T. Swingle from France

CANARY SEED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

A new variety of canary seeds bred specifically for human consumption qualify as a

gluten-free cereal that would be ideal for people with celiac disease.

A new variety of canary seeds bred specifically for human consumption qualifies as a

gluten-free cereal that would be ideal for people with celiac disease (CD), scientists have

confirmed in a study published in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Joyce Irene Boye and colleagues point out that at least 3 million people in the United

States alone have CD. They develop gastrointestinal and other symptoms from eating

wheat, barley, rye and other grains that contain gluten-related proteins. Boye’s team

sought to expand dietary options for CD — which now include non-gluten-containing

cereals like corn, rice, teff, quinoa, millet, buckwheat and sorghum.

They describe research on a new variety of “hairless,” or glabrous, canary seed, which

lacks the tiny hairs of the seed traditionally produced as food for caged birds. Those hairs

made canary seed inedible for humans. It verified that canary seed is gluten-free. Boye

also noted that canary seeds have more protein than other common cereals, are rich in

other nutrients and are suitable for making flour that can be used in bread, cookies, cakes

and other products.

CSAAC has not obtained a seed image, samples or identification sheets for the Canary

Seed for human consumption. If you have access to either samples or images, please let

the CSAAC office know. Thanks, Betty

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 13 of 18

VIGOUR COMMITTEE UPDATE

CSAAC Vigour Committee members are:

Morgan Webb (chair), Krista Erickson, Chantal Lecavalier and Glen Green

All enquires or clarifications are to be sent to Morgan Webb as the Chair of the

Committee. Morgan’s e-mail is morgan@seedcheck.net. You can also sent questions to

the CSAAC office at csaacexecutivedirector@gmail.com. E-mails will be answered as

soon as possible.

Ongoing Vigour Committee Project on Standardized Cereal Vigour Test

To establish a Standardized Vigour Test for Cereals, the following steps have and will be

taken before any approval from CSAAC.

The first part of the vigour study on cereals was completed in 2015 and the report was

given at the 2015 CSAAC annual convention in Saskatoon June 2015.

The second part of the vigour study on cereals will start in a few weeks as suitable Wheat

samples have been located. Detailed instructions will be sent with samples. Please

confirm with CSAAC office your lab’s participation, if you have not already done so.

The 2nd study will have a Vigour Test Method based on radical emergence similar to the

ISTA vigour evaluation which is done on crops other than cereals. For more information

go to the following link: https://seedtest.org/upload/cms/user/STI14244-48.pdf.

The Vigour committee is confident the research study will be completed and will be

reported on at the 2016 Annual Convention at Quebec City in May.

No official recognition or approval from CSAAC for the Standardized Vigour Test for

Cereals will come until the CSAAC members have voted and approved.

If you have any further questions or would like to assist with this committee, please

contact Morgan Webb or the CSAAC office.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 14 of 18

OFFICE TIP #65 -

If you see someone crying, best not ask if it’s because of their haircut!

ANNUAL CONVENTION IN QUEBEC CITY 2016

Convention Registrations & Hotel Booking Information are

Posted on the CSAAC Website

Limited Hotel Rooms are available!

In order to make plans for the convention rooms and meals,

please register with the CSAAC Office as soon as you can.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 15 of 18

Calendar: 2016-17

CSAAC Annual Meeting Quebec City, QC May 30th to June 1st, 2016

SCST/AOSA Annual Meeting Portland, Oregon USA June 3rd to 9th, 2016

CSGA Annual Meeting Elkhorn Resort, MB July 6th to 8th, 2016

CSAAC Annual Meeting Kelowna, BC May 29th to 31st, 2017

*note change of date

Breaking Dormancy is distributed to CSAAC Members. Please note the opinions expressed are those of

the contributors and are subject to change. Comments do not necessarily reflect the policies of the CSAAC

Board of Directors. Feedback and/or comments from members are invited.

Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada Inc., Box 208, 301 Rothesay Street, Douglas, MB.

R0K 0R0, Office Phone: 1-204-763-4610, Email: Website: www.seedanalysts.ca

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 16 of 18

ANSWERS TO FEBRUARY 2016 QUIZ

Number 1 – Sonchus oleraceus L.

Number 2 – Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

Number 3 – Sonchus arvensis L.

Number 4 – Lactuca serriola L.

Number 5 - Lactuca sativa L.

Answer to Number 1

Common Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus L. Asteraceae

Other common names: annual milk thistle, annual sow thistle, colewort, field sow-thistle, hare's lettuce,

milk thistle and small sow thistle.

Common sow-thistle is native to Europe, Africa & India and was introduced worldwide, including

across North America. Sow-thistles are closely related to wild lettuce (Lactuca species), and the young

leaves are edible. Habitat is anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields.

Ovary beak length 0 mm; Ovary length in developed fruit 2.5–3.5 mm. Seed pappus hairs are white or

off-white with hairs are hooked or barbed. Tuft length is 5–8 mm. The pappus hairs are slender and

uniform. The pappus is made of very fine hairs or bristles. Tuft or plume on fruit is at least a part of the

plume and is made up of fine bristles.

Answer to Number 2

Prickly sowthistle Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Asteraceae Synonyms: Sonchus oleraceus L. var. asper L.

Other Common Names: blue sow-thistle, rough sow thistle, spiny sow thistle, spiny-leaf sowthistle

The exact native range of this species is obscure. Prickly sowthistle (Sonchus asper) is also widely

naturalized elsewhere in the world, including in Canada and the USA, South America, New Zealand,

Australia and on some Pacific islands.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 17 of 18

Answer to Number 3

Perennial Sowthistle, Field Sowthistle Sonchus arvensis L. Asteraceae

Fruit is an achene, flattened, narrowly elliptical to oblong in outline, frequently slightly curved, 2.4–4.5

mm long, 0.6–1.4 mm wide, 0.3–0.6 mm thick, narrowly elliptical in cross section; both ends truncate.

Covered with 10–16 prominent longitudinal ribs; ribs cross-grooved, appearing tubercle.

Dark brown to light and reddish-brown, dull to faintly glistening. Scar a round, slightly oblique, 4-

segmented collar, rim and cavity cream colored. Apex horizontal, a +/– oval ring, cream colored,

surrounding slender whitish style base variable in appearance or inconspicuous. Pappus has numerous

white hairs, 1.5 cm long, +/– persistent. Embryo straight, spatulate; endosperm absent.

Sonchus arvensis is a deep-rooted perennial herb, up to 2 m tall and has been in the U.S. for 150 years.

A weed of many crops, this species is a particularly serious weed of cereals. It can rapidly colonize new

sites by means of its extensive horizontal and vertical root system. New shoots arise from buds on

horizontal roots (including easily broken pieces of roots). Achenes are dispersed by wind, water, and by

clinging to animals.

Scar of achene detail of ridged surface of achene apex of achene

Sonchus arvensis can be distinguished from Sonchus oleraceus by its deeper and more prominent ribs,

and because it lacks the two distinct narrow longitudinal grooves present on each side of S. oleraceus.

CSAAC Breaking Dormancy February 2016 Page 18 of 18

Answer to picture 4

Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola L. Asteraceae Synonyms: L. serriola L. forma serriola; L. serriola L. forma integrifolia (Gray) S.D. Prince & R.N. Carter

Other Common Names: China lettuce, compass plant, horse thistle, milk thistle, prickly lettuce, whip

thistle, wild lettuce and wild opium.

Native to northern Africa and the India. Widely naturalized, particularly in temperate regions (e.g.

throughout the USA and in Hawaii). Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) is a common weed of

agricultural areas. Habitat is anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields

U.S. National Seed Herbarium image [photographed by Steve Hurst*]

Prickly lettuce is native to Europe and introduced worldwide, including North America. The common

name for prickly lettuce is wild opium, because its latex contains compounds that are slightly analgesic

and sedating. The young leaves are edible raw or cooked and the young shoots may be cooked & eaten.

Tuft or plume on fruit is at least a part of the plume is made up of fine bristles. Ovary beak length 2.5–4

mm; Ovary length in developed fruit 2.5–3.5 mm; Ovary width in developed fruit 0.7–0.9 mm. Seed

pappus hairs are slender and are made of very fine hairs or bristles. The pappus hairs are white or off-

white with length 3-5 mm.

Answer to No. 5

Lettuce, Garden Lactuca sativa L. Asteraceae

U.S. National Seed Herbarium image [photographed by Tracey Slotta*]