Two dear friends within several months of each over have discovered what I think is this plant. The individual flowers look a good bit like Chicory, the rest of the plant? Oh what a difference. Blue Lettuce (Lactuca floridana).
Blue Lettuce is an annual biennial herb growing from a taproot to a height of four to eight feet or taller. At the top of the stem there is a multi-branched inflorescence with a good many flower heads. Each of the flower heads holds as many as twenty blue or white ray flowers and no disk flowers.
Leaves of Blue Lettuce are alternate. The upper leaves are lance shaped with either smooth edges or serrated edges.
The lower leaves are lobed. Leaves, stems and roots release a milky sap when cut or broken. Blue Lettuce is native to central Canada and the eastern and central United States. A fun find in the forest!
