Lapsana communis L.
Common Nipplewort
Nipplewort is a native annual of shady, disturbed places, growing on a slender, branching, sometimes hollow stem to around 30-90cm (taller in rich soil). The lower leaves are softly toothed with a large terminal lobe, and the wiry upper branches carry loose sprays of small, pale yellow dandelion-like flowerheads, each a neat ring of strap-shaped florets.
About
Nipplewort is a native annual of shady, disturbed places, growing on a slender, branching, sometimes hollow stem to around 30-90cm (taller in rich soil). The lower leaves are softly toothed with a large terminal lobe, and the wiry upper branches carry loose sprays of small, pale yellow dandelion-like flowerheads, each a neat ring of strap-shaped florets. The whole plant has an airy, rather weedy grace.
It thrives on a wide range of soils and is one of the more shade-tolerant members of the daisy family, colonising hedge banks, woodland edges, scrub, road verges, gardens and the margins of cultivated ground, especially where the soil is moist and a little disturbed. It flowers over a long season from around April to September, with the small heads visited by bees, hoverflies and other insects, and the seeds taken by finches. Rather than a meadow plant, it is best valued as a tolerant native filler for hedgerow bottoms and shadier corners.
Also known as
Hawk's-beard · Nipplewort
Synonyms
Lampsana communis · Lapsana cancellata cancellata · Lapsana communis communis · Lapsana communis glandulosa · Lapsana communis hirsuta · Lapsana communis hirta
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.