Seasonal Wild Flowers

Nipplewort

Lapsana communis

Asteraceae

June to October

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Nipplewort

Nipplewort grows in open woods, scrub, hedges and waste

land, by paths, roads and railways and at the base of walls.

It is a native, annual or perennial herb, slender and

growing up to 1m.

The flower buds form a characteristic fan on long. thin

stalks.

Individual flowerheads are up to 2cm with pale yellow

florets.

The flowers close in the afternoon and do not open

in dull weather.

There are small thin upper bracts and broader, longer

lower bracts.

The upper leaves are lanceolate, toothed and non-

stalked.

Lower leaves are broader, oval, toothed, stalked and with

basal lobes.

Nipplewort beside a path

Flowerhead cluster with large and

small bracts

Flowerhead with ray and disc florets

Nipple appearance

Nipple-like buds

Lower, stalked leaves

Upper, sessile leaves