The nomenclature of this species is somewhat confused and three diffent names are being used in modern literature. We are following Plants of the World Online (http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:228194-1#synonyms) in usung Lactuca pulchella. However, The Flora of N. America[] is using Mulgedium pulchellum (Pursh) G. Don; whilst Lactuca tatarica subspecies pulchella is the form favoured by Aleš Lebeda, et al. Geographical Distribution of Wild Lactuca Species (Asteraceae, Lactuceae). Botanical Review, vol. 70, no. 3, , pp. 328-356. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4354484.

Common Name: Blue Lettuce

General Information

Lactuca pulchella is a usually erect, perennial plant growing from a more or less rhizomatous rootstock. The plant usuallu produces basal leaves and a single stem that can be 15 - 100cm or more tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, many plants in this genus contain a narcotic principle, this is at its most concentrated when the plant begins to flower. This principle has been almost bred out of the cultivated forms of lettuce but is produced when the plant starts to go to seed[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Most areas of North America, from Arctic regions southwards, but excluding the southeastern states.

Habitat

Medium-dry to moist soils in fields, thickets of prairies, valleys and in mountains; at elevations to 2,100 metres[]. Also found in calcareous sites, stream banks and other wet sites[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a light sandy loam[].
This species is considered to be a noxious weed in N. America where it spreads freely by suckers in cultivated ground - even a small portion of the root can regenerate to form a new plant[].
The Flora of North America has moved this species from the genus Lactuca to Mulgedium pulchellum[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Eaten as a salad or boiled as greens[].

A gum obtained from the roots is used for chewing[, , , ].

Medicinal

An infusion of the roots and stems has been given to children in the treatment of diarrhoea[].
A poultice of the plants has been applied to piles[].

Although we have seen no other specific reports for this species, most if not all members of the genus have a milky sap that contains the substance 'lactucarium' and can probably be used as the report below details[].

The whole plant is rich in a milky sap that flows freely from any wounds. This hardens and dries when in contact with the air[]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[, , , , , , ]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[], nor is it addictive[]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[]. It is collected commercially by cutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[].
The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Even normal doses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[, ].
Some physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[].
The sap has also been applied externally in the treatment of warts[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow mid spring in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.
Root cuttings in spring[].