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Lactuca sativa angustana
  • Celtuce

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • neutral,alkaline
    Neutral to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lactuca sativa angustana has 0 edible uses listed
Lactuca sativa angustana has 0 material uses listed
Lactuca sativa angustana has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The mature plant is mildly toxic[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[2][3]. A mild, slightly sweet flavour, they are rather more coarse than ordinary lettuce[4], though they make an acceptable ingredient in mixed salads. Old leaves become coarser and bitter[4]. Stem - raw or cooked. Thick, tender, crisp and juicy, its flavour is variously described as being like lettuce, celery, artichoke, squash, asparagus or chard[2][3]. It is usually peeled before being used[3][4]. The stems can be harvested just before the plants flower without them turning bitter, though they might become hollow at this stage[4].

Leaves

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

Parasiticide[5]. No further details are given, but it is probably the sap of flowering plants that is used. The seed is said to be used to make hair grow on scar tissue[6].

Unknown part

Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[7]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[7], nor is it addictive[15]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[14]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[14]. 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[7]. The cultivated lettuce does not contain as much lactucarium as the wild species, most being produced when the plant is in flower[7]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[8].

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[14] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[15][8]. Some physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[13]. The sap has also been applied externally in the treatment of warts[16]. The seed is anodyne and galactogogue[6].

Lettuce has acquired a folk reputation as an anaphrodisiac, anodyne, carminative, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hypnotic, narcotic, parasiticide and sedative[6].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antispasmodic
Emollient
Expectorant
Sedative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March to June in situ[4]. Seedlings can be transplanted[4]. Seed becomes dormant at temperatures above 27°c[4].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lactuca sativa angustana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light sandy loam[17]. Succeeds in most well-drained, humus-rich soils but dislikes acid conditions[17][18]. Prefers some shade in the summer to slow down the plants tendency to go to seed and to prevent the leaves becoming bitter[19][20].

Plants can resist some frost, they can also tolerate temperatures in excess of 27°c[4]. They are fairly resistant to bolting, though they can run to seed prematurely in very hot conditions[4]. The celtuce is a form of lettuce with a longer and thicker central stem, it is sometimes cultivated for its edible leaves and stems[4]. There are some named varieties[3]. It takes 3 - 4 months from sowing before the stems are ready to harvest[4]. A surface-rooting plant, the roots can be damaged by hoeing[4].

A good companion for strawberries, carrots, radishes and onions[19][20].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lactuca sativa angustana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lactuca sativa angustana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lactuca sativa angustana
Genus
Lactuca
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][6]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6]
Botanic
[21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual, biennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Flies, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (1960-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.12 Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 (1991-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    12. ? 12.012.1 Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista ISBN 0-289-70864-8 (1979-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (1977-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    21. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)


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    Facts about "Lactuca sativa angustana"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusLactuca +
    Has common nameCeltuce +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Stem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Flies + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual + and Biennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useParasiticide +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antispasmodic +, Emollient +, Expectorant + and Sedative +
    Has search namelactuca sativa angustana + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameLactuca sativa angustana +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +