Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Compass-plant

This is an introduced plant from Europe. The leaves are interesting, as they have a row of sharp, yellowish spines along the underside mid-rib. Grows along roadsides and in waste areas and gardens, flowering June -September. Also called the Compass-plant, as its leaves often point east and west.

This is part of the underside midrib of a leaf from the Prickly lettuce plant, covered in sharp, yellowish spines. This is much enlarged! The leaves of this plant often point east and west, giving it the common name "Compass-plant". It is an introduced plant, from Europe.