Lactuca sativa
Lactuca sativa
Lactuca sativa (pronunciation: /lækˈtuːkə səˈtiːvə/), commonly known as lettuce, is a plant species from the Asteraceae family. The term "Lactuca" is derived from the Latin word 'lac', meaning 'milk', referring to the plant's milky juice, while "sativa" means 'cultivated', indicating its common use in agriculture.
Etymology
The name "Lactuca sativa" is derived from Latin. "Lactuca" is a diminutive form of 'lac', which means 'milk' in Latin, referring to the plant's milky juice. "Sativa" is a Latin botanical adjective meaning 'cultivated'. It is used in the binomial nomenclature (or scientific naming) of many plants, indicating that the plant is commonly cultivated.
Description
Lactuca sativa is an annual plant that is most often grown as a leaf vegetable. It is most commonly used in salads, but is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps. The plant has a short stem initially (a rosette growth habit), but when it blooms, the stem and branches lengthen and produce many flower heads that look like those of dandelions, but smaller. This is referred to as bolting.
Varieties
There are several varieties of Lactuca sativa, including:
- Lactuca sativa var. romana (Romaine or Cos lettuce)
- Lactuca sativa var. crispa (Curly lettuce)
- Lactuca sativa var. capitata (Cabbage lettuce)
- Lactuca sativa var. longifolia (Endive lettuce)
Related Terms
- Asteraceae: The family to which Lactuca sativa belongs.
- Bolting: The production of a flowering stem (or bolt) before the crop is harvested, in agricultural and horticultural contexts.
- Leaf vegetable: A vegetable that is eaten either raw or cooked, which is primarily the leaves of the plant.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lactuca sativa
- Wikipedia's article - Lactuca sativa
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