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Lapsana communis - L.

Common Name Nipplewort, Common nipplewort
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste ground, roadsides and walls, avoiding acid soils, in full sun or semi-shade[5, 9].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, western and central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lapsana communis Nipplewort, Common nipplewort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lapsana_communis_Sturm29.jpg
Lapsana communis Nipplewort, Common nipplewort
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Teacoolish

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lapsana communis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[2, 5, 17, 100]. They are best harvested before the plant comes into flower[9]. The leaves can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or added to soups and casseroles[9, 183]. They have a bitter or radish-like taste[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A fairly common garden weed, nipplewort will maintain itself in the garden so long as it is given some disturbed soil in which to self-sow. It is a fairly tolerant plant that succeeds in most soils, so long as they are not too acid, and dislikes heavy shade. It was at one time cultivated as a vegetable[17].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow in situ during the spring or as soon as it is ripe and only just cover the seed. Plants usually self sow when they are well-sited.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lapsana apogonoides Biennial0.3 -  LMHSNM10 
Lapsana humilis Biennial0.3 -  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

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Botanical References

17

Links / References

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Subject : Lapsana communis  
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