[2][3] Its chief characteristic is its open airy clumps of yellow flowers.

Lactuca muralis grows about 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 m) tall with the lower leaves pinnately toothed and clasping.

Lactuca muralis is slender, hairless herb[2] growing from 25 to 150 cm (10 to 59 in) tall.

[6][2] 1 cm (1⁄2 in) wide more or less, on branches 90 degrees to the main stem, in loose panicle.

[10] Lactuca muralis is a native of Europe but has invaded shady roadsides, paths and logged areas of the Pacific Northwest[11] and New England[12] It has become naturalized in parts of Northern Ireland as long ago as 1913.