Wild lettuce (Lactuca quercina, Sp. Pl.: 795 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 795 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lactuca

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to W. Himalaya

Description

Wild lettuce, known scientifically as Lactuca quercina, is a distinctive plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant holds a notable presence across vast geographical ranges, stretching from Europe to the western reaches of the Himalayas.

The historical context of Lactuca quercina dates back to its first documented description by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, where it was highlighted in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” on page 795. Linnaeus, often abbreviated as L., has been a monumental figure in the field of botany, and his work has laid the foundation for modern botanical nomenclature and classification.

Wild lettuce is part of the diverse and extensive Asteraceae family, which is renowned for its composite flowers. Members of this family are characterized by their intricate flower heads, comprising numerous small florets grouped together, which often give the appearance of a single flower. Lactuca quercina features similar botanical structures, thus contributing to the rich floral diversity of this family.

Growing wild across varied terrains, wild lettuce has adapted to a range of environmental conditions from the temperate landscapes of Europe to the rugged high-altitude regions of the western Himalayas. This adaptability highlights the plant’s resilience and ecological importance within these regions. Wild lettuce often thrives in open fields, along roadsides, and in disturbed soils, commonly appearing as part of the meadow or grassland flora.

The plant is known for its potent latex, a milky sap that has historically been used for various medicinal purposes. However, despite its potential benefits, it is crucial to handle the plant with care, as the sap can be an irritant to some individuals.

In summary, Lactuca quercina, or wild lettuce, is an intriguing member of the Asteraceae family with a rich historical background, widespread geographical range, and ecological versatility. Its botanical characteristics and historical significance make it a notable species within the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Deu: eichen-lattich
Dan: kalk-salat
Nor: karlsösalat
Swe: karlsösallat
Fra: laitue de chaix, laitue à feuilles de chêne
Ita: lattuga saettona
Ces: locika dubová
Sqi: marule dushkore
Eng: wild lettuce
Rus: латук шэ
Ron: лэптучь де-думбравэ, лэптучь сажитаць
Bul: праволистна салата
Hye: կաթնուկ շեի
Nno: karlsøsalat
Nob: karlsøsalat
En: Wild lettuce
Sq: Marule dushkore
Ar: خس جبار
Hy: Կաթնուկ Շեի
Bg: Дъбова салата, Праволистна салата
Cs: Locika dubová
Da: Kalk-Salat
Fi: Tammirantasalaatti
Fr: Laitue de Chaix, Laitue à feuilles de Chêne
De: Eichen-Lattich
It: Lattuga saettona
No: Karlsösalat
Nb: Karlsøsalat
Nn: Karlsøsalat
Ro: Лэптучь де-думбравэ, Лэптучь сажитаць
Ru: Латук Шэ
Sv: Karlsösallat

Synonyms

• Mulgedium quercinum ((L.) C.Jeffrey)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by rodrigues iza (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Olivier Penot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Victor Rockall SeaBird (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2020 by kenne viviane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 4, 2020 by Mika Torvinen-Vuononvirta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 17, 2022 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© 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/3140410)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:228200-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lactuca quercina L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4