Blue Lettuce (Lactuca pulchella)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Lactuca pulchella is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A gum obtained from the roots is used for chewing. — Young leaves - raw or cooked.; A gum obtained from the roots is used for chewing.

Habitat & North American Range

Medium-dry to moist soils in fields, thickets of prairies, valleys and in mountains to 2,100 metres. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)