Indian lettuce
Lactuca indica

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It is an erect plant and forms tillers. It can grow 1.3 m high. The stem leaves can often have red marks. The leaf shape varies. The lower leaves are more oval and the stem leaves are more narrow.

There are about 20 Lactuca species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In China it grows in mountain valleys between 200-3,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Assam, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten boiled, steamed or added to soups. They are also eaten raw. They are also used for wrapping and frying fish. The roots are pickled.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, root

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seedlings are often put in a nursery and transplanted after 25 days. They are planted at a spacing of 25 cm. New plants can grow from roots left in the ground.

Leaves are harvested after 60 days.

Its other names

Local names

A tua la nang, Batudan, Beroberoka, Bo cong anh, Chi guo ju, Daun pandjang, Gatudan, Gilgiloy, Indian salad, Komak, Kuban kayu rana, Kumak, Lampenas, Rau diep dai, Saranggu, Sawi rana, Sijungkat, Sinnaeng-i, Tempuh wiyang, Tokkissalbab, Umek, Wanggodulppaegi

Synonyms

Lactuca mauritiana Poir.; Prenanthes squarrosa Thunb.; ? Pterocypsela indica (L.) C. Shih; ?