Lactuca, commonly known as
lettuce, is a
genus of flowering plants in the family
Asteraceae. The genus includes at least 50 species, distributed worldwide, but mainly in temperate
Eurasia.
Its best-known representative is the
garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa), with its many varieties. "Wild lettuce" commonly refers to the wild-growing relatives of common garden lettuce. Many species are common
weeds. Lactuca species are diverse and take a wide variety of forms. They are annuals, biennials, perennials, or
shrubs.[2] Their
flower heads have yellow, blue, or white ray florets. Some species are bitter-tasting.
Most wild lettuces are
xerophytes, adapted to dry habitat types. Some occur in more moist areas, such as the mountains of central
Africa.[2]
Diversity
There are different concepts of the species within Lactuca. It is not clear how many distinct species are known, and estimates vary from 50[3] to 75[4] so far.
Lactuca, commonly known as
lettuce, is a
genus of flowering plants in the family
Asteraceae. The genus includes at least 50 species, distributed worldwide, but mainly in temperate
Eurasia.
Its best-known representative is the
garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa), with its many varieties. "Wild lettuce" commonly refers to the wild-growing relatives of common garden lettuce. Many species are common
weeds. Lactuca species are diverse and take a wide variety of forms. They are annuals, biennials, perennials, or
shrubs.[2] Their
flower heads have yellow, blue, or white ray florets. Some species are bitter-tasting.
Most wild lettuces are
xerophytes, adapted to dry habitat types. Some occur in more moist areas, such as the mountains of central
Africa.[2]
Diversity
There are different concepts of the species within Lactuca. It is not clear how many distinct species are known, and estimates vary from 50[3] to 75[4] so far.