No, it’s not a tree at all! Just a lettuce plant reproducing.

My grandmother would have said the little guy was “going to seed.” As the plant matured, an ancient process encoded in its DNA caused the stem to elongate and push skyward. Flower buds formed on the top and will soon burst open. This process also caused the leaves to taste bitter.

I don’t harvest the best plants in the garden, but leave them alone to produce seed for next year.

This is another picture taken by my friend, Bonnie Wright, during her last visit. (Bonnie Wright’s Photography)