Lactuca sativa L.

Lactuca sativa is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, self.The plant is selffertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

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Cultivated Beds; Edible Uses Edible Parts: Leaves; Oil; Seed. Edible Uses: Oil.

Leaves - raw or cooked[7, 37]. A mild slightly sweet flavour with a crisp texture, lettuce is a very commonly used salad leaf and can cooked as a potherb or be added to soups etc[183]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Seed - sprouted and used in salads or sandwiches[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[7]. The seed is very small, extraction of the oil on any scale would not be v feasible[K]. Composition Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food. Leaves (Fresh weight)

0 Calories per 100g Water : 92.9% Protein: 2.1g; Fat: 0g; Carbohydrate: 3g; Fibre: 0.5g; Ash: 1.2g; Minerals - Calcium: 26mg; Phosphorus: 30mg; Iron: 0.7mg; Magnesium: 10mg; Sodium: 3mg; Pota 208mg; Zinc: 0mg; Vitamins - A: 2200mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0.4mg; B6: 0mg; C: 15m Reference: [ ] Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a profes using a plant medicinally. Anaphrodisiac; Anodyne; Antispasmodic; Carminative; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Galactogogue; Hypnotic; Narcotic; Parasiticide; Parasiticide; Sedative.

The whole plant is rich in a milky sap that flows freely from any wounds. This hardens and dries when in contact with the air[4]. The 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative propertie 192, 213, 238]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[4], nor is it addicti internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[238]. It is collected cutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[4]. The cult does not contain as much lactucarium as the wild species, most being produced when the plant is in flower[4]. An infusion of the fre flowering plant can also be used[9]. The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitione doses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[238] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[7, physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[213]. The sap applied externally in the treatment of warts[222]. The seed is anodyne and galactogogue[218]. Lettuce has acquired a folk reputatio anaphrodisiac, anodyne, carminative, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hypnotic, narcotic, parasiticide and sedative[218 Other Uses Hair; Oil; Parasiticide; Parasiticide.

Parasiticide[178]. No further details are given, but it is probably the sap of flowering plants that is used. The seed is said to be used hair grow on scar tissue[218]. Cultivation details

Prefers a light sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in most well-drained, humus-rich soils but dislikes acid conditions[1, 16]. Plants strongly di conditions, quickly running to seed in such a situation. Early and late sowings are best in a sunny position, but summer crops are b a position with some shade in order to slow down the plants tendency to go to seed and to prevent the leaves becoming bitter[18, 2 garden lettuce is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its edible leaves and is probably the most commonly grown salad p There are many named varieties[183] capable of providing fresh leaves throughout the year if winter protection is given in temperat Over the centuries a number of more or less distinct forms have arisen in cultivation. These forms have been classified as follows. treated separately in more detail:- L. sativa angustana. L.H.Bailey. is the Celtuce. The leaves of this form are not of such good qual other lettuces and the plant is grown more for its thick central stem which is used in the same ways as celery[1]. L. sativa capitata. heading lettuce, it forms a heart in a similar way to cabbages. Examples of this include the Iceberg and Butterhead lettuces. L. sativ L. is the curled or leaf lettuce. This does not form a central heart but produces a loose rosette of basal leaves. It can be harvested o and come again basis. L. sativa longifolia Lam. is the cos lettuce. This has longer, thinner leaves and a more erect habit, it does no compact heart. Lettuces are quite a problematic crop to grow. They require quite a lot of attention to protect them from pests such a aphids and birds. If the weather is hot and dry the plants tend to run very quickly to seed, developing a bitter flavour as they do so. weather they are likely to develop fungal diseases. In addition, the seed needs to be sown at regular intervals of 2- 3 weeks during growing season in order to provide a regular supply of leaves. Lettuces make a good companion plant for strawberries, carrots, rad and onions[18, 20, 201]. They also grow well with cucumbers, cabbages and beetroot[201].

Propagation

Seed - sow a small quantity of seed in situ every 2 or 3 weeks from March (with protection in cooler areas) to June and make anoth sowing in August/September for a winter/spring crop. Only just cover the seed. Germination is usually rapid and good, thin the plan necessary, these thinnings can be transplanted to produce a slightly later crop (but they will need to be well watered in dry weather certain winter crops can be obtained by sowing in a frame in September/October and again in January/February.

Description
Lettuce is a cool season annual with milky sap and glabrous (hairless) leaves that grow in a basal rosette at first, then either in a loose or a tightly rolled head, and eventually along an upright stem that supports the flowers. The dandelion-like flowerheads are pale yellow, less than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across, and borne in dense clusters above the leaves on an erect branching stem. Lettuce is a composite, but it has only ray flowers.

There are five main classes of lettuce. The crisp head or cabbage lettuces are the most popular lettuces in American supermarkets and restaurants. There are hundreds of cultivars, some of which form heads no larger than a tennis ball ('Tom Thumb', 'Mini Green') and are well suited for the home garden. Some are red ('Rosa', 'Rosy'). Typical "iceberg" type heading lettuces are 'Ithaca', the most widely grown commercial lettuce in the eastern US; 'New York', an old standard; and 'Great Lakes', a very dependable and adaptable variety that was named an All American Selection in 1944. The butterhead or bibb lettuces have small, roundish heads with loosely packed leaves that are thick and succulent. Among hundreds of cultivars are 'Buttercrunch', an All American Selection, and an excellent lettuce for the home garden; 'Bibb', an early season type often grown in greenhouses for market; and 'Perella Red', one of the hardiest lettuces, tolerating temperatures to at least 4F (-15.6C). The cos or romaine lettuces have long, broad, upright leaves that form loose heads. They take longer to mature and are more heat tolerant than other kinds of lettuce. The many cultivars include 'Buttercrunch' lettuce is sweet and succulent and perfect for 'Parris Island', developed for the SE US, which is sandwiches. a very uniform lettuce now widely grown commercially and in the home garden; and 'Valmaine', which is larger, more heat tolerant, and has a slightly more open head than 'Parris Island'. The curled or loose leaf lettuces are non-heading types with loose rosettes of crinkled leaves. These are the easiest to grow and the most popular with the home gardener. Popular cultivars include 'Black Seeded Simpson', introduced prior to 1888, and still the most popular cultivar for the fresh market and the home garden. It is a large upright lettuce, tolerant of hot weather, and very adaptable. 'Ibis' is a beautiful loose leaf lettuce with broad, upright burgundy leaves and a tolerance for cold and heat. 'Red Oak Leaf' has lobed leaves, variegated with red, purple and green depending on growing conditions. 'Red Sails' has fringed leaves variegated with green and maroon. It is nonbitter and has much more vitamin A and vitamin C than other lettuces and was an All American Selection in 1985.

The red leaves of 'Ibis' lettuce brighten up winter salads.

Celtuce is a type of lettuce grown for its stem, which tastes like the heart of Iceberg lettuce.

Celtuce (a.k.a. stem lettuce, asparagus lettuce, and Chinese lettuce) is very popular in China but rarely seen in the US. Celtuce has leaves about 610 in (15.2-25.4 cm) long and 3-7 in (7.6-17.8 cm) wide that look like and are used like leaf lettuce. But as the plant matures, it develops a thick, to 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter, elongate stem that is juicy and crisp. When peeled and eaten raw, the stem tastes like the heart of lettuce or, as some claim, a combination of artichoke, asparagus and yellow squash. Cornucopia II lists only four cultivars of celtuce available in the US. (The name, celtuce, was coined by an American seed company in 1942 to convey the image of a lettuce and celery combination.)

Location
Lettuce is not known in the wild. The progenitor of the many forms of garden lettuce was probably Lactuca serriola, a common weed that grows in waste places, fields and clearings in Europe, northern Asia and North Africa. The Europeans have developed a great many lettuces of the romaine and loose leaf types. Most of the crisp head lettuces were developed in the US to withstand transport from fields in California to markets in the east. In China, the stem lettuces are the most popular, grown and sold everywhere.

Culture
Light: Lettuce does best in full sun to partial shade. The red forms will attain the deepest colors in full sun. As temperatures rise, shade becomes more important. Moisture: Regular garden watering will keep lettuce growing happily. Hardiness: Lettuce can withstand light frosts. Lettuce is planted in the winter in USDA zones 810, and in the spring up north. Gardeners in zones 6-8A can plant in spring and again in fall. Propagation: Seeds are sown in rows or strips and hardly buried at all. Lettuce seed generally will not germinate with soil temperatures above 75 or 80F.

Ceasar salad, invented by Tijuana chef Caesar Cardini in 1924, originally included only garlic, olive oil, croutons, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce and romaine lettuce like that growing in

Usage

Steve's North Florida garden.

Many of the red and purple lettuces make excellent borders around cool season flower beds. These are also effective in cool weather live container arrangements along with pansies, petunias and snapdragons. Celtuce deserves to be grown in more home vegetable gardens. The leaves can be used in salads and sandwiches in place of other lettuces. The peeled stems have a refreshing crunchy texture and can be added to salads, eaten out of hand, stir fried, or baked or boiled quickly and served with a cream or cheese sauce. The Chinese also pickle celtuce and use it in soups. Honeymooners usually request their own salad: lettuce alone.

Features
Most lettuces are relatively low in nutrients. Modern plant breeders are developing varieties that have more vitamins and minerals, but in general, we eat lettuce for its crisp clean sweetness and crunchy texture. It is claimed that lettuce is an excellent remedy for acid indigestion and "heartburn." The bitter, milky latex sap is a mild narcotic and sleep inducer. The early Romans ate lettuce at the end of meals to aid digestion and induce sleep. Later, with the development of lettuce varieties containing less of the bitter, soporific sap, they ate lettuce at the beginning of the meal to whet the appetite. The European prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) contains considerably more of the milky, narcotic juice and has several medicinal and herbal uses. The sap is sometimes The colorful 'Redina' variety is one of Steve's newest favorite lettuce . dried and used to adulterate opium. American wild lettuce (L. canadensis), a common weed throughout much of North America, is usually too bitter to eat, but was used extensively by Native Americans as a sedative and for pain relief.