Celtuce, Asparagus lettuce, Chinese lettuce, Stem lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. augustana

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A lettuce plant with an edible stalk. It is an annual plant. It develops a stem 3-4 cm thick and 30 cm tall. The seed stalk is eaten like celery or cooked. The leaves are curled. There are several cultivated varieties.

There are about 20 Lactuca species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to tropical plant. The soil needs to be well-drained. It suits plant hardiness zones 7-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, India, North America, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

Young leaves are eaten raw in salads and also cooked, preserved or served with miso. The leaves can be eaten when young but become bitter 4-5 weeks after they first appear. The thick tender stem is peeled, sliced and eaten raw. It can also be pickled, stir fried or cooked in soups.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Stalk, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. They are sown 5-10 mm deep and transplanted to 50 cm between plants.

The cut stems are marketed with a topknot of leaves remaining.

Its other names

Local names

Wosun, Wo bamboo-shoot, Qianjincai, Thousand pieces of gold vegetable

Synonyms

Lactuca augustana All.; Lactuca sativa var. asparagina; [or L. sativa Stalk (or Asparagus) Lettuce Group]