Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Lactuca serriola is a BIENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild and make an excellent salad, but the whole plant becomes bitter as it gets older, especially when coming into flower. — Young leaves - raw or cooked.; A bitter flavour.; The young tender leaves are mild and make an excellent salad, but the whole plant becomes bitter as it gets older, especially when coming into flower.; As a potherb it needs very little cooking.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste places, walls, occasionally on more or less stable dunes. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)