Cicerbita lessertiana
(Wallich ex DC.) Mamgain & Rao in J. Bomb. Nat. Hist.
Soc. 86(2): 273. 1989. Mulgedium lessertianum WaIlich ex Dc., Prodr. 7: 251. 1838.
Lactuca lessertiana (Wallich ex DC.) C.B. Clarke, Comp. Ind. 270. 1876; Hook.f. Fl.
Brit. India 3; 408. 1881.
Herbs, perennial with tuberous rootstock; stems 5.5 - 40 cm high, glabrous or laxly
villous, leafy. Leaves very variable, usually narrowly oblanceolate, entire or slightly
uuate-toothed or lyrate-pinnatifid with broad lobes, 5 - 15 x 1.5 - 2.6 cm; terminal lobe
oblanceolate or elongate. Heads subcylindric or campanulate; 1 - 2 x 7 - 0.9 cm long;
peduncle very long, flaccid, hispid. Outer involucral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 5 - 9 x 1.5 - 3
mm; inner linear-oblong, 10 - 20 x 2 - 3.5 mm, obtuse. Ligules blue or violet. Stigma bifid,
purplish or bluish. Achenes flattened, elliptic or oblanceolate, 6 - 14 mm long. Pappus
white or yellowish, 4.0 - 5.5 mm long, simple.
