Lactuca orientalis

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 20-60 cm tall. It has spines. It is branched from the base and the stems are white. The leaves at the base are in a ring. And have teeth or lobes along the edges. The leaves on the stem are smaller.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in dry soils. It can grow in arid places. It grows in NW China on a range of soils below 3,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Central Asia, China, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Sinai, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw. They are probably also cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Khass barri, Khis

Synonyms

Phaenopus orientalis Boiss.; Scariola orientalis (Boiss.) Sojak;