White Lettuce
Nabalus albus

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Nabalus albus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Rich woods and thickets.

North-eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to N. Dakota.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The powdered root is sprinkled on food to stimulate milk flow after childbirth. A tea made from the roots is used as a wash for weakness. A latex in the stems is diuretic, it is used in female diseases. It is also taken internally in the treatment of snakebite. A poultice of the leaves or roots is applied to snakebites, dog bites etc.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in shade or semi-shade in a moist but well-drained humus-rich neutral to acid soil.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Prenanthes alba. L.