Corn Salad

(Valerianella locusta)

 

   

 

Color drawing: C. A. M. Lindman (1901-1905), Bilder ur Nordens Flora.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers light blue, small, tubular with 5 free petal lobes. Stamens projecting beyond the lip of the flower. Flowers arrange din small, globular flower head on stalks arising from leaf axils. Stem smooth. Leaves oblong, in opposite pairs, and with a smooth outer margin. Base of leaf tappering, without a distinct petiole. Plant 4 to 12 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Corn Salad is a species of disturbed habitats including fields, empty lots, and roadsides.

Flowering period: April to July.

Similar Species: The small, tubular, blue flowers arranged in globular heads combined with the oblong, smooth, opposite leaves should readily identify this species.

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