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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lactuca pulchella is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. tatarica pulchella. (Pursh.)Breitung.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Gum

Young leaves - raw or cooked[85, 212]. A gum obtained from the roots is used for chewing[161, 177, 212, 257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Poultice

An infusion of the roots and stems has been given to children in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. A poultice of the plants has been applied to piles[257]. Although we have seen no other specific reports for this species, most if not all members of the genus have a milky sap that contains the substance 'lactucarium' and can probably be used as the report below details[K]. The whole plant is rich in a milky sap that flows freely from any wounds. This hardens and dries when in contact with the air[4]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[9, 21, 46, 165, 192, 213, 238]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[4], nor is it addictive[7]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[238]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[238]. It is collected commercially by cutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[4]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[9]. The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Even normal doses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[238] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[7, 9]. Some physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[213]. The sap has also been applied externally in the treatment of warts[222].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Gum

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light sandy loam[1]. This species is considered to be a noxious weed in N. America where it spreads freely by suckers in cultivated ground - even a small portion of the root can regenerate to form a new plant[212].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Root cuttings in spring[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lactuca biennis	Tall Blue Lettuce		0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	0	1
Lactuca canadensis	Canada Lettuce	Biennial	3.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	3
Lactuca capensis		Perennial	0.5	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca debilis		Perennial	0.0	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca formosana			0.0	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca indica	Indian Lettuce	Perennial	1.2	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca indica dracoglossa		Annual/Biennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca indica laciniata		Perennial	1.2	-	LM	SN	M	3	2
Lactuca ludoviciana	Western Wild Lettuce, Biannual lettuce	Biennial	1.2	0-0	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca perennis	Perennial Lettuce	Perennial	0.6	5-9	LM	N	DM	3	2
Lactuca quercina	Wild Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	2	3
Lactuca raddeana		Annual/Biennial	0.6	-	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca sativa	Lettuce, Garden lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	1
Lactuca sativa angustana	Celtuce	Annual/Biennial	0.6	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa capitata	Cabbage Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa crispa	Cutting Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca sativa longifolia	Cos Lettuce	Annual/Biennial	0.9	5-9	LM	SN	M	3	3	2
Lactuca serriola	Prickly Lettuce	Biennial	1.5	6-9	LM	N	M	2	3	2
Lactuca sibirica	Prickly lettuce	Perennial	1.0	0-0	LM	SN	M	2	2
Lactuca triangulata		Biennial/Perennial	1.0	-	LM	SN	M	1	2
Lactuca virosa	Wild Lettuce, Bitter lettuce	Annual/Biennial	1.8	5-9	LM	N	M	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Lactuca pulchella - (Pursh.)DC.