
Name
Family Name | |
Genus Epithet | |
Species Epithet | |
Name Authority | |
Name Status (botanical) | |
Common Names |
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 30 cm to 70 cm |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Asia Minor or Middle East |
Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
Local Conservation Status | Exotic (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Annual or biennial herb up to 70 cm tall. |
Roots | The root system is relatively small. |
Foliage | Foliage varies widely according to cultivar type. In Singapore, headed cultivars may form loose heads or even no head at all, because temperatures are higher than optimal for lettuce. |
Stems | The stem is often short in the head-forming cultivars, but grows up to 30-50 cm long among the stem lettuce cultivars. |
Flowers | Compound flower known as a head is composed of 7-15 yellow florets. The heads are arranged in a branched inflorescence (known as a panicle) and has a flat top. |
Fruits | Dry, indehiscent fruit is known as an achene. They are narrowly obovate (egg-shaped with the wider end at the tip), beaked, and attached to a pappus composed of 2 rows of soft, white hairs. |
Cultivation | Lettuce is best grown in a temperate climate. In Singapore, it should be grown on consistently moist, but well-drained soils. It does not tolerate acidic soils (pH < 6). It takes about 2 months from sowing to first harvest. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : The leaves are eaten raw in salads and sandwiches. The Chinese and Taiwanese eat the fleshy stem of stem lettuce cultivars cooked.) |
Landscaping Features
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Container Planting |
Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Seed or Spore Germination Duration To | 4 |
Seed or Spore Germination Duration Unit | Days |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Light Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral, Rosulate / Rosette |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate, Crenate |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal |
Individual Flower Shape | Ligulate / Strap-shaped |
Inflorescence Type | Panicle, Head / Capitulum |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Brown |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type 1 | Indehiscent Dry Fruit |
Fruit Type 2 | Achene |
References
References | Siemonsma, J.S. and Piluek, K. (Editors). 1994. Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA) No 8. Vegetables. Bogor, Indonesia: Prosea Foundation. |
Image Repository
Images |
Others
Master ID | 31560 |
Species ID | 5959 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |