Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) rosettes are easy to identify.

Foliage has the same texture as leafy lettuce that is sold at grocery stores, especially when rosettes are young.

Rosettes are generally 12 to 16 inches in diameter.

Rosette leaves are most often serrated but not lobed (as in the image above); however, sometimes rosettes develop pinnately lobed foliage that is more characteristic of older cauline foliage (as in the image below).

The easiest way to identify prickly lettuce are the prickles that develop on the midrib on the underside of foliage. Even on very small and/or recently germinated plants, these prickles are evident to the touch.

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