A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE GENUS LACTUCA L. (CICHORIEAE-ASTERACEAE) FROM PAKISTAN AND KASHMIR

The genus Lactuca L. of the tribe Cichorieae-Asteraceae is taxonomically revised from Pakistan and Kashmir. The revsion is based on study of large number of herbarium specimens. In fews cases plants have also been studied in their natural habitat. A total of 13 species are recognized from Pakistan and Kashmir including 1 new species i.e. Lactuca erostrata Roohi Bano & Qaiser. A new combination Lactuca orientalis subsp. nuristanica (Podlech) Roohi Bano & Qaiser is also proposed. All the taxa valid or synonyms have been typified with the help of type specimens and literature. Key to the species along with detailed morphological description and ecological notes of each taxon are also given.