Question: Hello! I discovered these tall purple stalks growing in an area around my house. They were not purposefully planted, and …
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Question
Hello! I discovered these tall purple stalks growing in an area around my house. They were not purposefully planted, and currently seem localized around an oak tree. There are currently no flowers present. I live in woodland in the most southwestern parts of NH and have very sandy, acidic soil not much but the native plants tend to like so it's odd to see something new (and huge) like this. This is the tallest plant, close to 9' tall as of the picture being taken.
Answer
Dear speranza, good evening. As best I can tell from the image, you have photographed Lactuca biennis (tall blue lettuce), a native species of lettuce that can grow over four meters in height. It should produce a white latex when a leaf is torn. Best wishes.
