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Questions and Answers: 2017

Question: I have come upon some discrepancies regarding the naming and identification of Wild Lettuce. In Wikipedia, it is referred to …

• Question

  I have come upon some discrepancies regarding the naming and identification of Wild Lettuce. In Wikipedia, it is referred to as Lactuca virosa and distinguished from Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola). Your description of the pharmacological effects of L. serriola seem to match those of L. virosa. Your description of L. sativa would seem to match more closely what Wikipedia is referring to as L. virosa. Can you clear this up, especially given the interest in this plant for pharmacology?

  Answer

  Dear chaffeemonell, Lactuca virosa is not part of the New England flora. It has been introduced to North America only in the western part of the continent. Lactuca sativa is the cultivated lettuce that has lost most its pharmacological potency--the bitter terpenes bred out of this species to make it more palatable. Lactuca serriola, the wild progenitor of L. sativa, still has the bitter terpenes that are used medicinally. If you have more questions, feel free to ask away.