Wild lettuce (Lactuca inermis, Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 144 (1775))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Forssk.

Bibliography: Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 144 (1775)

Year: 1775

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lactuca

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, Madagascar, Arabian Pen.

Description

Wild lettuce, known scientifically as Lactuca inermis, is a species that has gained recognition in botanical records including the renowned “Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica” published in 1775 by Forsskål. This resilient plant is distributed widely across tropical and southern regions of Africa, extending its presence to Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula.

Belonging to the extensive Asteraceae family, which encompasses a diverse array of flowering plants, wild lettuce thrives in various habitats characteristic of these regions. The family Asteraceae is acknowledged for its significant ecological and economic importance, and Lactuca inermis contributes to this distinction through its unique adaptations and roles within its native ecosystems.

Wild lettuce exhibits the typical morphology of the Lactuca genus, yet it stands apart with specific traits suited to its environmental context. The plant has adapted to often harsh and variable climates, demonstrating a robust versatility that enables it to flourish where other species might falter.

This plant’s relevance spans both ecological and ethnobotanical contexts. Its interactions within local ecosystems include serving as a food source for diverse fauna, while indigenous communities have traditionally recognized and utilized various Lactuca inermis parts for herbal remedies and other applications.

In summary, Lactuca inermis, or wild lettuce, represents a remarkable example of botanical endurance and ecological integration within the Asteraceae family, maintaining a steadfast presence across several geographically and climatically distinct regions. As both a botanical subject of scientific study and a component of natural heritage, this plant continues to intrigue and sustain interest among botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Run: akanunaguma, akaziraruguma, umunyongo
Kin: ikinyamata, rulira, rurira
Lug: oluwoomerambuzi olunene
Eng: wild lettuce
Zul: iklabeklabe
Sot: kho-loboto, lekologoto
Ful: puntu-bowali
Amh: senaafisc, senaafish
Yor: yánrin-oko
En: Wild Lettuce
Am: Senaafisc, Senaafish
Ff: Puntu-bowali
Rw: Ikinyamata, Rulira, Rurira
Rn: Akanunaguma, Akaziraruguma, Umunyongo
Lg: Oluwoomerambuzi olunene
St: Kho-loboto, Lekologoto
Yo: Yánrin-oko
Zu: Iklabeklabe

Synonyms

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oman (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Fabien Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Fabien Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Fabien Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2008 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Calum Macfarlane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Calum Macfarlane (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Fabien Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2016 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2008 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Calum Macfarlane (cc-by-sa)

© 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/3140472)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:228048-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lactuca inermis Forssk.)

Specifications

Growth