Lettuce
ExplorePlants
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce is a leafy green vegetable that grows in gardens. It has crunchy leaves that are tasty in salads and sandwiches. Lettuce comes in different colors like green, red, and purple.
Habitat: Gardens
Appearance
The Lettuce has crisp, often crinkled or smooth leaves forming a tight or loose rosette. It comes in vibrant shades of green, sometimes with hints of red or purple edges, clearly distinct from other leafy greens.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusLactuca
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Egyptians adored lettuce, seeing it as a symbol of fertility and even drawing it on tombs!
Some lettuce gets its red and purple hues from anthocyanins, the same powerful pigments found in blueberries!
The first cultivated lettuce was more like a loose-leaf variety, not a tight head like iceberg!
Wild lettuce can grow surprisingly tall, often reaching over 6 feet if left to flower!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Growth
Lettuce can grow very quickly from seed, helping it produce many fresh leaves before other plants compete.
Ability
Milky Sap Shield
Lettuce produces a milky sap called latex, which can deter some hungry insects from munching on its leaves.
Ability
Outer Leaf Protector
Its robust outer leaves shield the tender inner leaves from sun, wind, and minor pest damage, keeping them safe.
Ability
Wind Wanderers
When allowed to flower, lettuce produces light, feathery seeds that can ride the wind to new growing spots.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 cm
- Spread
- 15-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Self
Ecological connections
eaten by
Garden Snail
Helix aspersa
Snails often feast on lettuce leaves, leaving holes.
eaten by
Leopard Slug
Limax maximus
Slugs can consume large amounts of lettuce overnight.
eaten by
Small Cabbage White
Pieris rapae
Its caterpillars chew holes in lettuce leaves.
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
If allowed to flower, bees visit lettuce blooms for nectar.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
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.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Butterhead LettuceGarden LettuceIceberg LettuceLeaf LettuceRomaine Lettuce
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash lettuce before eating to remove any dirt or bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Lettuce?
15-30 cm
How wide does Lettuce spread?
15-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Lettuce?
0.5-1.5 cm
When does Lettuce bloom?
Summer
Is Lettuce edible?
Yes
Is Lettuce toxic?
None
What is Lettuce's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Lettuce pollinated?
Self
Snap Map
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