shopping Wild lettuce herb - one variety
Wild lettuce herb, c/s, wild crafted image
[ 1388 ]Lactuca quercina

Wild Lettuce Herb Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound:  $9.87 Pound:  $21.93 
We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Wild lettuce herb

Lactuca quercina
plant overview
prickly outside, milky inside

Although wild lettuce and wild lettuce herb is related to the variety of garden lettuce commonly used for sandwiches and salad, when you buy wild lettuce herb remember it differs considerably in appearance and other characteristics. Also known as prickly lettuce, this tooth-leaved member of the aster family looks more like a weed candidate than lunch. What the herb lacks in ornamental or culinary appeal is compensated by the milky latex found in its leaves and stems. While wild lettuce is sometimes used to make wild lettuce tea blends, it is more commonly used topically or is tinctured.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on wild lettuce

description
Lactuca quercina is a wild annual or biennial flower in the Asteraceae family.

Wild lettuce as it is commonly called, will grow to heights of a little over 3 feet. The root is tuberous, simple or branched from which is produced a weak green stem. This stem is erect, branched in the upper part, and glabrous (free from hair; smooth).

The plant's leaves are pinnate or toothed. Its basal leaves are obovate or lyrate, pinnate-lobed to pinnatifid, narrowed into a long petiole. Its middle and upper cauline leaves are sessile (attached directly without stalk); also ovate to lanceolate, non-lobed to pinnatisect with 2-9 pairs of lobes, cordate-sagittate at base, and all thin in texture.

Wild lettuce bracts are linear lanceolate, and roughly 10-11 mm. in length, featuring an obtuse apex and scarious margins, and often with small backwards orientated appendages and anthocyanin (blue, violet) spots. Heads of 8 (11-15) 22 florets. Ligules are yellow, longer than the involucre. Achenes are obovate, at around 7-8 mm in length. Blooms are yellow.

The entire plant is rich in a milky sap that will freely flow any wounds the plant receives. The sap will dry and harden in contact with air.

common names & nomenclature
This plant is related to the common garden lettuce, which gives way to the common name wild lettuce.

Also known as:
wild lettuce, lettuce opium

02.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting wild lettuce

climate
Wild lettuce grows in woodland gardens, woodland edges, and scrub areas in sun to part shade.

soil
Prefers a light sandy loam that is nitrogen-rich and moist.

growing
Sow seeds in spring directly into the garden soil and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually fairly quick.

harvesting
Harvest the plant in the summer when it is in flower, dry for later use.

preserving
Store dried wild lettuce herb in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

03.
The Rest of the Story


General Information

What is wild lettuce used for?

The entire plant exudes a sap, or latex, that is applied topically. Typically the sap from the wild lettuce plan is applied topically to the skin or used to make a wild lettuce tea<.

How to use wild lettuce?

Wild lettuce may be used in the form of a tea, tinctures, powders, and oils.

How to make wild lettuce tea?

The dried herb, which contains a variety of sesquiterpene lactones and coumarins can be made into tea.

  • Add a tablespoon of dried wild lettuce to a teapot or tea infuser
  • Bring 2 cups of water to boil
  • Pour water over the tea leaves and steep for 10-20 minutes
  • Strain and enjoy

04.
Where in the World

habitat and range for wild lettuce

Lactuca quercina, or wild lettuce, is native to Europe.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised:  Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.