Canada lettuce, American wild lettuce
Lactuca canadensis

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A tall leafy herb. It has a taproot. The leaves and stems have a slight covering or bloom. The leaves are 30 cm long. They vary in shape from sword shaped to deeply lobed. There are many yellow flowers.

There are about 20 Lactuca species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate and tropical places. It grows in thickets, clearing in woods and along roadsides.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, Dominican Republic (country/location of origin), Haiti (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, USA, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young leaves can be added to salads. They can be boiled with one change of water then eaten. They are slightly bitter. The plant accumulates lactucarium towards flowering which is mildly narcotic.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Lactuca elongata Muhl. ex Willd.; Lactuca longifolia Michx.; Lactuca sagittifolia Elliott; Lactuca steelei Britton;