Another example of difficult Asteraceae taxon. I thought the red stripes on the back of the petals would make ID easy!
Based on just the white sap drops, I would suggest Lactuca. At least our species produce sap at the slightest touch to the phyllaries.
To Andrey and Iorax, Your powers of observation far out weigh my own. I hadn't noticed the white sap. I have never found a lactuca with red on the rear of the petals! I will check it out.
Hi lila, I have just been looking at the painted illustrations of Picris hieracoides. The petals of this species are numerous and are pointed, whereas the petals of the flower in my photographs are few and they have a serrated edge. Now I will have to check the Lactuca sp.
I would agree with Lila. See these photos of Picris hieracioides, for example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12639178@N07/5842467535/ http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/295654?nav=related
To Andrey and lila, After seeing the photographs shown on the 2 sites which Andrey gave me, it seems your ID is correct. Strange that the painted illustrations in a couple of field guides gave a different image. Many thanks to you both. I really appreciate your help.
