Indian lettuce (Lactuca indica, Mant. Pl.: 278 (1771))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Mant. Pl.: 278 (1771)

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lactuca

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Siberia to Japan and Malesia

Description

Indian lettuce, scientifically known as Lactuca indica, is a fascinating herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Asteraceae. This species, first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1771 in “Mant. Pl.: 278,” is noted for its widespread distribution across southeastern Siberia to Japan and extending southward into Malesia.

With its origins rooted in a broad geographic range, Indian lettuce has adapted to various climatic conditions found in these regions. This resilience makes it an interesting subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Lactuca indica typically thrives in temperate to tropical climates, showcasing its versatility and robustness.

The plant is known for its leafy appearance, which resembles the common lettuce cultivated for culinary purposes, hence the common name “Indian lettuce.” However, it is distinct in its ecological preferences and growth habits. The leaves of Lactuca indica are often employed in traditional medicinal practices and local cuisines within the regions it inhabits. They are appreciated for their slightly bitter flavor and are often used in salads and other vegetable dishes.

In terms of botanical interest, Indian lettuce is valuable for research due to its potential medicinal properties and ease of cultivation in diverse environments. Researchers continue to explore its possible health benefits, which could open up new avenues for its use beyond the current traditional applications.

Overall, Lactuca indica stands out not only for its botanical characteristics but also for its significant role in the flora of the regions from southeastern Siberia to Malesia. It embodies the rich biodiversity that these areas support and highlights the interconnectedness of plant species across vast and varied ecosystems.

Common Names

Jpn: aki-no-nogeshi
Vie: cây bo công anh, cây phât ken, mót mét
Fra: gros lastron, laitron, lastron, lastron cheval
Eng: indian lettuce, wild lettuce
Kor: wang-go-deul-ppae-gi
Afr: wildeslaai
Por: alface-do-mato, almeirão-do-mato, almeirão-do-mato-grosso
Deu: chinesischer salat
En: Indian lettuce, Wild Lettuce
Af: Wildeslaai
Bg: Индийска маруля
Zh: 鵝仔草
Cs: Locika indická
Fr: Gros Lastron, Laitron, Lastron, Lastron cheval, Ptérocypsèle d’Inde, Laitue scariole, Escarole
De: Chinesischer Salat
Ja: Aki-no-nogeshi
Ko: 왕고들빼기, Wang-go-deul-ppae-gi
Pt: Alface-do-mato, Almeirão-do-mato, Almeirão-do-mato-grosso
Zh-tw: 鵝仔草
Vi: Bồ công anh, Cây bo công anh, Cây phât ken, Mót mét

Synonyms

• Sonchus calyculatus (Roxb. ex DC.)
• Lactuca jamaicensis (Griseb.)
• Chondrilla squarrosa (Poir.)
• Prenanthes taraxacoides (Wall.)
• Brachyramphus taraxacoides (DC.)
• Lactuca laciniata f. indivisa (Makino)
• Lactuca hoatiensis (H.Lév.)
• Lactuca cavaleriei (H.Lév.)
• Lactuca mauritiana (Poir.)
• Prenanthes laciniata (Houtt.)
• Pterocypsela indica var. laciniata ((Houtt.) H.C.Fu)
• Lactuca indica var. laciniata ((Houtt.) H.Hara)
• Chondrilla indica ((L.) Steud.)
• Scariola brevirostris ((Fenzl) Soják)
• Pterocypsela indivisa ((Makino) H.S.Pak)
• Lactuca brevirostris (Champ. ex Benth.)
• Brachyramphus heyneanus (Wight)
• Lactuca bialata (Griff.)
• Chondrilla sonchifolia (Poir.)
• Lactuca dracoglossa (Makino)
• Prenanthes squarrosa (Thunb.)
• Pterocypsela indica ((L.) C.Shih)
• Pterocypsela laciniata ((Houtt.) C.Shih)
• Prenanthes indica ((L.) J.G.Klein ex Poir.)
• Lactuca amurensis (Regel & Maxim.)
• Leontodon acutissimus (Noronha)
• Brachyramphus sinicus (Miq.)
• Lactuca kouyangensis (H.Lév.)
• Lactuca squarrosa (Miq.)

Distribution

• Amur (native)
• Assam (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Mauro Monteiro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2021 by Esdras Castro (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Kenneth Parker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2018 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Gileno Gustavo (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3140510)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:228047-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lactuca indica L.)

Specifications

Growth