Taxonomic novelties of the genus Lactuca L. in Jammu and Kashmir (India): diversity, phenology and distribution

The genus Lactuca L. (tribe Cichorieae, Asteraceae) is revised taxonomically from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The present investigation is based on field collection from natural habitat and scrutiny of a large number of herbarium specimens deposited at different Indian herbaria. A total of 15 species critically studied, revised as per latest nomenclature and authenticated for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. All valid taxa have been studied with the help of type specimens and literatures. A key to the species prepared along with detailed morphological description, chromosome number, phenological period, and regional as well as global distribution of each species is presented for easy identification.