Asteraceae FAMILY
Lactuca indica laciniata
Lactuca indica laciniata
Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
2/5
Safety & Hazards
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, many plants in this genus contain a narcotic principle, this is at its most concentrated when the plant begins to flower. This principle has been almost bred out of the cultivated forms of lettuce but is produced when the plant starts to go to seed[ 13 Title Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Publication Author Triska. Dr. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3 Description Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore. ].
Botanical Description
Indian lettuce is a perennial plant growing about 1.2 metres tall. The plant is gathered from the wild for its edible leaves and medicinal virtues.
Habitat & Origin
Origintemperate; tropical
Native RangeE. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
HabitatGrassy places in lowland all over Japan[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ].