Wild Lettuce

Common Names: Wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, opium lettuce, poisonous lettuce, tall lettuce, great lettuce
Latin Names: Lactuca virosa
Type: Herbaceous
Origin: Introduced from Europe but not considered invasive.

Edible: The leaves are bitter but edible. Younger leaves are better. Can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb or boiled.

Other uses: Medicinal - The plant secrets a white milky substance from the veins. When it is dried it is used for sedative and pain-relief effects. Referred to as poor man's opium.

Wild lettuce (April)