This member of the Chicory family is an indigenous perennial herb, has a smooth stem and grows 2–4 ft. high. The stem is stout and purplish, with radical leaves, lanceolate, and all irregularly dentate. This plant grows plentifully in moist weeds and in rich soils, from New England to Iowa, and from Canada to Carolina. It is the member of Asteraceae and tribe lactuceae. Recently this species was considered to be in the genus Prenanthes included European, African, Asian and North American species.

Leaves are alternate and variable in shape i.e. deeply and irregularly lobed. Flowering stems are 1 to 2 meters tall and leaves are pinnately lobed. Paniculate inflorescence comprises of drooping capitula composed of ligulate flowers. Capitulae have 8 to 14 flowers with yellow to cream colored corollas. Flowers are 8 to 14 mm long having lower hald fused into a tube. Each flower produces single achene topped by pappus which supports in wind dispersal. An involucre comprises of two whorls of green bracts. Inner whorl has eight lance shaped bracts about 8 to 14.5 mm long. An outer whorl has five to nine much shorter bracts. Its habitat is sandplain grasslands and also occurs in rocky slopes along road sides and in other disturbed habitats. Usually coarse stems have purple coloration exuding a milky sap when damaged.

Uses

The milky juice of the plant is taken internally, and the root, cut in small pieces or grated, is useful and acts most favourably in cases of dysentery or diarrhoea.

Facts About Lion’s Foot Plant

Lion's Foot Plant Quick Facts
Name:	Lion's Foot Plant
Scientific Name:	Nabalus serpentaria

Name	Lion’s Foot Plant
Scientific Name	Nabalus serpentaria
Common/English Name	Prenanthes Serpens, Rattlesnake-Root, White Lettuce, Cancer Weed, Canker root, Rattlesnake root, White cankerweed
Plant Growth Habit	Perennial  plant
Root	Branching, tuberous
Stem	1 to 2 meters tall, green or often purplish
Leaf	Smooth, thick, deep green
Medicinal parts	The whole plant
Flower	White or yellowish, 11-14 mm long