Valerianella locusta
Valerianella locusta
Valerianella locusta (pronunciation: vuh-lehr-ee-uh-nell-uh low-koo-stuh), also known as corn salad or lamb's lettuce, is a small dicot annual plant of the family Caprifoliaceae. It is native to Europe and Western Asia.
Etymology
The genus name Valerianella is derived from the Latin valere, meaning "to be healthy", due to the medicinal properties attributed to plants in this genus. The species name locusta means "grasshopper" in Latin, but in this context, it is thought to refer to a type of plant rather than the insect.
Description
Valerianella locusta is a small plant with a rosette of leaves 2-6 cm long. The leaves are spatulate to obovate in shape, and the flowers are small and white, borne in tight clusters at the top of the stems. The fruit is a small nutlet.
Cultivation and uses
Valerianella locusta is cultivated for its edible leaves, which are used in salads. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate frost and is often grown as a winter salad green. It is also used in traditional medicine for its supposed health benefits.
Related terms
- Caprifoliaceae: The plant family to which Valerianella locusta belongs.
- Dicot: A group of flowering plants whose seed typically has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons.
- Nutlet: A small nut-like fruit.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Valerianella locusta
- Wikipedia's article - Valerianella locusta
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