Practical
Plants

Lactuca virosa

Wild Lettuce

an annual or biennial member of the Lactuca genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Lactuca
Life cycle
annual, biennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Poisonous[16][4]. Cases of poisoning caused by this plant have only been recorded very rarely[15].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[13]. Very tender[12]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. A mild flavoured oil, used in cooking, is obtained from the seeds[10].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Oil

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[10]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[17][6][11][2][5][7][9]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[10], nor is it addictive[16]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[9]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[9]. It is collected commercially by cutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[10]. This species is probably the richest supply of lactucarium[10]. The plant also contains 'hyoscyamine', a powerful depressant of the parasympathetic nervous system[7]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[17]. The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Even normal doses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[9] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[16][17]. Some physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[7]. The sap has also been applied externally in the treatment of warts[8]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[17]. It is used in the treatment of chronic catarrh, coughs, swollen liver, flatulence and ailments of the urinary tract[17].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Belgium south and west to N. Africa, Central Russia and W. Asia.
Habitat
Grassy places by roads, canals etc and on banks near the sea[3], usually on calcareous soils[16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually fairly quick.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a light sandy loam and a sunny position[1]. The wild lettuce is cultivated as a medicinal plant in many areas of Europe[10][11][14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

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  5. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

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  6. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  7. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  13. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

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  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  15. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  16. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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