Willow-leaf lettuce, Wild lettuce, Least lettuce
Lactuca saligna

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb which can take 2 years to complete its life cycle. The stems are erect. It grows 1 m high. The branches point upwards. There are often fine bristles towards the base. The leaves are alternate and simple. It has milky sap. There is a ring of leaves near the base and the lower leaves are broadly sword shaped. They are 3-10 cm long by 1-4.5 cm wide. The leaves are slender and spineless. The upper leaves often clasp the stem. It has a stiff flowering stem up to 1.5 m high.

There are about 20 Lactuca species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows along roadsides. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Balkans, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Crete, Czech, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lord Howe Island, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The young shoots are cooked and eaten in salads and soups.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chicoria, Khus barri, Lattuga selvagge, Lechugueta

Synonyms

Chondrilla crepoides Lapeyr.; Lactuca saligna var. runcinata Gren. & Godr.; Lactuca virgata Tausch; Lactuca wallrothii Spreng.;