Corn salad, White pot herb, European lamb's lettuce
Valerianella locusta

Family: Caprifoliaceae

What it is like

A low growing hardy annual herb. It produces rosettes of spoon shaped leaves. It grows 10-30 cm high and spreads to 40 cm across. The stem is low and branches from near the base. The stems are slender, forked and angular. The leaves at the base are in a ring and those on the stems are opposite in 3-4 pairs. They do not have leaf stalks. Leaves are round, and dark green. They are 10 cm long and 2 cm wide. The flowers are purplish-blue. They are in clusters at the ends of branches. They are funnel shaped and 2 mm long. The fruit are diamond shaped and 2-4 mm wide. One side is fertile and has one seed.

Also put in the family Valerianaceae.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It will grow in most types of soil. It is frost resistant. A very cold resistant vegetable suitable for high altitude areas in the tropics. It cannot tolerate drought. Plants should be in a sunny position. It grows best in cool seasons. It grows in temperate regions as far north as 60°N. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Tasmania Herbarium. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Caucasus, Central Africa, Chile, China, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, East Africa, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten mostly fresh. They are used in salads. They can be lightly cooked and used in soups and omelettes. The flowers and flower stalks are eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. In Papua New Guinea seeds are available in stores and it is just being tried out.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are mostly grown from seed. Plants should be 10-25 cm apart. They can be transplanted.

Leaves are harvested one by one. Leaves are available in mid winter in temperate areas.

Its other names

Local names

Ackersalat, Bel boccone, Canonigos, Corn salad, Dolcetes, Doucette, Dulceta, Feldsalad, Fetticus, Field salad, Gaddinedda, Hog salad, Lamb’s lettuce, Mache, Marsh salad, Matovilec, Navadni motovilec, Nut lettuce, Raiponce, Rapunzel, Valerianela, Valerianita

Synonyms

Valeriana locusta L.; Valeriana locusta var. olitoria L.; Valerianella olitoria (L.) Pollich;