bitter lettuce
ExplorePlants
bitter lettuce
Lactuca virosa
Bitter lettuce is a leafy plant that grows in gardens and fields. Its leaves are green and can be a bit sharp in taste, which is why it’s called 'bitter'!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The bitter lettuce is a tall, upright plant with a robust, often reddish-purple stem. It features deeply lobed, spiny-edged green leaves that clasp the stem, topped with clusters of small, pale yellow dandelion-like flowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusLactuca
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Romans sometimes used its milky sap to help them relax and sleep!
Its super bitter taste comes from special chemicals that tell animals "Don't eat me!"
It’s nicknamed "opium lettuce" because its sap can look like a mild version of opium.
The seeds are carried far and wide by tiny parachutes, just like dandelion seeds!
Special abilities
Ability
Spiky Shield
Bitter lettuce has spiny leaves and stem bristles that deter hungry herbivores from taking a bite.
Ability
Calming Milk
The plant produces a milky sap, known as lactucarium, which can have calming effects and deters pests.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Its long taproot allows bitter lettuce to reach deep into the soil for water and nutrients, especially in dry areas.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 60-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Forages on its small yellow flower heads.
pollinates
common drone fly
Syrphus ribesii
Adult flies visit its flowers for nectar.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Agricultural
This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not eat any plants unless an adult says it's safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is bitter lettuce?
60-200 cm
How big are the flowers on bitter lettuce?
1-2 cm
When does bitter lettuce bloom?
Summer-fall
Is bitter lettuce edible?
No
Is bitter lettuce toxic?
Mild
What is bitter lettuce's lifecycle?
Biennial
How is bitter lettuce pollinated?
Insect
Where is bitter lettuce usually found?
Grasslands
Snap Map
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