Leafy vegetable of the genus Lactuca including commercially important species Lactuca sativa (cultivated plant of the daisy family including aster and sunflower). Usually eaten raw in salads (and grouped with salad greens), but also may be eaten cooked.
Leaves can be also used to make herbal tobacco-free cigarettes. Seeds can be pressed to extract oil similar to wheat germ oil. Good source of vitamin A and potassium. Wild lettuce is used for whooping cough, asthma, urinary tract problems, cough, insomnia, restlessness, excitability in children, painful menstrual periods, excessive sex drive in women, muscular or joint pains, poor circulation, swollen genitals in men, and as an opium substitute in cough preparations.
Lettuce comes in four basic types: crisphead, butterhead, loose-leaf, and romaine. Crisphead types are also called iceberg or Batavian lettuce. Butterhead lettuces form smaller, looser heads. Loose-leaf doesn't form a head. Bibb lettuce also known as Boston, butterhead, or limestone lettuce, is very tender and is known for its distinctive creamy flavor and crisp, crunchy texture. Romaine or cos lettuce forms upright, cylindrical heads. Red leaf and green leaf lettuces are the most popular loose leaf lettuces. Both have very soft curly leaves and a semisweet taste. Red leaf lettuce is softer, sweeter, and also more fragile than the green. It makes a good salad, but it wilts and turns black very quickly. Green leaf lettuce is a little coarser and not quite as sweet, but it's a bit crisper.
Leaves can be also used to make herbal tobacco-free cigarettes. Seeds can be pressed to extract oil similar to wheat germ oil. Good source of vitamin A and potassium. Wild lettuce is used for whooping cough, asthma, urinary tract problems, cough, insomnia, restlessness, excitability in children, painful menstrual periods, excessive sex drive in women, muscular or joint pains, poor circulation, swollen genitals in men, and as an opium substitute in cough preparations.
Lettuce comes in four basic types: crisphead, butterhead, loose-leaf, and romaine. Crisphead types are also called iceberg or Batavian lettuce. Butterhead lettuces form smaller, looser heads. Loose-leaf doesn't form a head. Bibb lettuce also known as Boston, butterhead, or limestone lettuce, is very tender and is known for its distinctive creamy flavor and crisp, crunchy texture. Romaine or cos lettuce forms upright, cylindrical heads. Red leaf and green leaf lettuces are the most popular loose leaf lettuces. Both have very soft curly leaves and a semisweet taste. Red leaf lettuce is softer, sweeter, and also more fragile than the green. It makes a good salad, but it wilts and turns black very quickly. Green leaf lettuce is a little coarser and not quite as sweet, but it's a bit crisper.
