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Lactuca virosa, commonly known as wild lettuce, is a plant in the Lactuca genus that is closely related to common lettuce. It is native to northern Africa, Europe, western and central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. While it is widely naturalised in Australia, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the country, there are conflicting reports on its prevalence in the country. Some sources claim that it has only been found in Australia a few times, while others assert that it grows wild in many places around Sydney and other coastal areas. L. virosa is a fast-growing biennial herb that can reach up to 2 metres in height. It has been used for its mild analgesic and sedative effects and was once studied by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce, rakutu-karyumu-so |
| Genus | Lactuca (lettuce) |
| Height | Up to 200 cm (80 inches or almost 7 feet) |
| Flavonoids | Yes |
| Coumarins | Yes |
| N-methyl-β-phenethylamine | Yes |
| Flowering season in the northern hemisphere | July to September |
| Areas found in Australia | Sydney, the South Coast, North Coast, and Central West of NSW |
| Areas found outside Australia | California, Alabama, Iowa, Washington, DC, Great Britain, and the northeast of Ireland |
| Seedlings | Can be transplanted to the garden when big enough |
| Frost resistance | Yes |
| Soil type | Cold |
| Sunlight | Grows in shaded areas |
| Watering | Requires well-watered positions |
| Edibility | Bitter taste; young leaves are edible |
| Medicinal qualities | Mild analgesic and sedative effects; used as a pain reliever; regarded as a natural remedy |
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What You'll Learn
- Lactuca virosa, also known as wild lettuce, is a biennial herb that grows up to 2 metres tall
- It has been spotted growing wild in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales, Australia
- Wild lettuce is the wild counterpart of commercial lettuce but is far more bitter and has greater medicinal qualities
- It is legal to grow, purchase and own Lactuca virosa without a prescription or license in the United States
- The plant contains flavonoids, coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine, and its stem secretions can be used to derive lactucarium, a type of latex
Lactuca virosa, also known as wild lettuce, is a biennial herb that grows up to 2 metres tall
Lactuca virosa, commonly known as wild lettuce, is a biennial herb that can grow up to 2 metres tall. It is native to northern Africa, Europe, western and central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. While it is not native to Australia, it has been spotted growing wild in various parts of the country, particularly in New South Wales and Sydney.
Wild lettuce is related to the common lettuce (L. sativa) found in supermarkets, but it has a much more bitter taste. It is also known as bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce, or rakutu-karyumu-so. This plant contains flavonoids, coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine, and various other chemical compounds. It is often ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects and has been used as a natural pain reliever and folk remedy.
Lactuca virosa grows well in shaded and well-watered positions and is frost-resistant. It can be grown from seeds, which should be covered lightly with soil or sand and kept moist until germination. The plant grows both in isolation and in clusters, and any part of the plant will release a milky sap when cut. The leaves at the base form a rosette and can grow up to 25 centimetres long, with prickles around the edges and a distinctive line of prickles running up the spine on the underside.
In the northern hemisphere, Lactuca virosa flowers from July to September and dies in its second year. It has been documented in North America, particularly in California, Alabama, Iowa, and Washington, DC, and was used in the 19th century as a substitute for opium. Today, it is legal to grow, purchase, and own without a prescription or license in the United States.
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It has been spotted growing wild in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales, Australia
Lactuca virosa, also known as wild lettuce, is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus. It is often ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects. It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa) and is also referred to as bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce, or rakutu-karyumu-so.
Lactuca virosa has been spotted growing wild in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales, Australia. It has also been found in other parts of the world, including North America, where it has been documented in California, Alabama, Iowa, and Washington, DC. It is native to northern Africa, Europe, western and central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent.
In Australia, Lactuca virosa can grow up to two meters tall and is a biennial herb. It is fast-growing and any part of the plant will ooze a milky sap when cut. The leaves at the base form a rosette and can grow up to 25 centimeters long, with prickles around the edges and a distinctive line of prickles running up the spine on the underside. The plant grows well in shaded, well-watered positions and prefers cold soil.
Lactuca virosa is not just a plant but also has cultural significance. In the 19th century, physicians used it when opium was unavailable. It was also studied by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1911, who discovered two chemicals responsible for its properties: lactucopicrin and lactucin. Today, it is still valued for its medicinal qualities and is used as a natural remedy or alternative treatment.
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Wild lettuce is the wild counterpart of commercial lettuce but is far more bitter and has greater medicinal qualities
Wild lettuce, scientifically known as Lactuca virosa, is the wild counterpart of commercial lettuce. It is a fast-growing herb that can reach up to 2 metres in height. It is native to North America and has been introduced to various states, including California, Alabama, Iowa, and Washington, DC. While it has only been officially recorded in Australia a few times, some people claim to have seen it growing wild in Sydney and other coastal areas.
Wild lettuce has a distinctive appearance, with wavy leaves that have prickly hairs underneath and a line of prickles running up the spine on the underside. The leaves are oblong in shape and can grow up to 25 centimetres long. When cut, the plant oozes a milky sap that turns brown when exposed to air. It is also known for its bitter taste and unpleasant smell.
Lactuca virosa is a member of the Lactuca genus, which includes common lettuce (Lactuca sativa). It is sometimes called bitter lettuce, tall lettuce, or opium lettuce, among other names. It has a long history of use as a medicinal plant, often referred to as the "poor man's opium". The sap of wild lettuce, known as lactucarium, has been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times. It has been used to treat various ailments, including anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, coughs, and rheumatic pain.
Despite its potential benefits, wild lettuce can be toxic even in moderate amounts, and consuming it raw may have side effects. It is important to note that there is limited research on the effects of wild lettuce, and it may interact with sedative medications. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and consult a doctor before consuming wild lettuce or any supplements containing it.
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It is legal to grow, purchase and own Lactuca virosa without a prescription or license in the United States
Lactuca virosa, also known as wild lettuce, is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus. It is often ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects. It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa) and is commonly referred to as wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce, or rakutu-karyumu-so.
Lactuca virosa is a biennial herb that can grow up to 2 metres tall. It has bright green leaves that sprout from a green stem that is occasionally spotted purple. The plant secretes a milky white substance known as lactucarium, which resembles opium in appearance and has similar pain-relieving properties. It is often referred to as the "poor man's opium".
In the United States, Lactuca virosa is not scheduled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning it is legal to grow, purchase, and own without a prescription or license. The plant experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s and has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries.
While it is legal to cultivate and possess Lactuca virosa in the United States, it is important to exercise caution when handling and consuming this plant. It is known to contain flavonoids, coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine, as well as other chemical compounds. Ingesting Lactuca virosa can result in adverse side effects, and it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any medicinal plant.
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The plant contains flavonoids, coumarins, and N-methyl-β-phenethylamine, and its stem secretions can be used to derive lactucarium, a type of latex
Lactuca virosa, also known as wild lettuce, is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus. It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa) and is native to Great Britain and parts of Ireland. It has also been introduced to North America, with documented sightings in California, Alabama, Iowa, and Washington, DC. While it is rare, Lactuca virosa has been spotted growing wild in Australia, particularly in Sydney, the South Coast, North Coast, and Central West of New South Wales.
Lactuca virosa has a long history of medicinal use. It has been ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects, with active compounds including lactucopicrin and lactucin. Ancient Egyptians used "lettuce opium", and it was introduced as a drug in the United States as early as 1799. In the nineteenth century, it was studied and prescribed in Poland and by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain as an alternative to opium.
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Frequently asked questions
Lactuca virosa, often called wild lettuce, is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus. It is related to common lettuce and is ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects. It is also known as bitter lettuce, laitue vireuse, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce, and rakutu-karyumu-so.
Lactuca virosa is native to northern Africa, Europe, western and central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. It has been introduced to North America and Australia. In Australia, it has been spotted growing wild in Sydney, the South Coast, North Coast, and Central West of NSW. It is also believed to be growing elsewhere in the country.
Lactuca virosa seeds can be directly sown or raised in pots. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil or sand and kept moist until germination. Once the seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted to the garden. It prefers a shaded and well-watered position.
