What is the root word of lettuce?
garden herb extensively cultivated for use as a salad, late 13c., letuse, probably somehow from Old French laitues, plural of laitue "lettuce" (cognate with Spanish lechuga, Italian lattuga ), from Latin lactuca "lettuce," from lac (genitive lactis) "milk" (from PIE root *g (a)lag- "milk"); so called for the milky juice of the plant.
What is the history of lettuce in America?
In 1944, ‘Great Lakes’ was the All-America Selections winner, and this iceberg is what Americans ate for decades in salads, sandwiches, and slaws. Tastes changed in the 1970s. Good health and natural foods returned to the forefront of the culinary world, and lettuce was inspected for nutrition as critically as other produce.
Where is lettuce grown in the world?
Lettuce is the only member of the genus Lactuca to be grown commercially. Although China is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is consumed domestically. Spain is the world's largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second.
Why was lettuce used in ancient Egypt?
Min consumed lettuce as a sacred food for sexual stamina, and ordinary Egyptians used the oil of the wild seeds for medicine, cooking, and mummification. Over time, the Egyptians bred their wild-type lettuce to have leaves that were less bitter and more palatable.
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What plant did lettuce come from?
lettuce, (Lactuca sativa), annual leaf vegetable of the aster family (Asteraceae). Most lettuce varieties are eaten fresh and are commonly served as the base of green salads.
What continent is lettuce from?
AsiaLettuce apparently originated in Europe or Asia and has been grown for over 2000 years.
What country makes the most lettuce?
ChinaThe country with larger production of lettuces is China, followed by the United States. The countries that follow, with less production, are Spain, Italy and India. Among the export countries, Spain is the one with greater amount of sells, followed by the United States and Italy.
Which country is the greatest producer of lettuce?
ChinaChina was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China produced more than 16 million metric tons of lettuce in 2019.
Where is lettuce grown?
More than 90 percent of U.S. lettuce production is located in California and Arizona. The main varieties include iceberg, romaine and various leaf varieties. Lettuce production occurs year-round throughout the United States, through a sequence of production in Arizona and California.
Who invented lettuce?
Lettuce was first cultivated in ancient Egypt for the production of oil from its seeds. The plant was probably selectively bred by the Egyptians into a plant grown for its edible leaves, with evidence of its cultivation appearing as early as 2680 BC.
Where is lettuce grown in Australia?
Lettuce is grown all over Australia however the main lettuce production regions in Australia are the Lockyer Valley and Eastern Darling Downs (SE Qld); Hay and Central West (NSW); Lindenow and Robinvale (Vic); Manjimup and Gingin (WA); Virginia (SA) and Cambridge, Richmond and Devonport (Tas).
Can a dog have lettuce?
But can dogs eat lettuce? In general, yes. Lettuce of the romaine, arugula, and iceberg varieties do not contain ingredients that can really harm your dog. After all, lettuce is 90 percent water and is also a low-calorie snack that could be a good training treat for an overweight dog.
Where did lettuce originate?
Common lettuce, Lactuca sativa, has its origins in the Middle East. Egyptian wall murals of Min, the god of fertility, depict lettuce in cultivation in about 2700 B.C. The erect plant — similar to modern romaine, with a thick stem and milky sap — had sexual connotations.
What is the history of lettuce?
The History of Lettuce. The gardens at Monticello still grow some of the cultivars mentioned in Thomas Jefferson’s notebooks. ‘Brown Dutch’ lettuce, a cultivar from Holland, was another of Jefferson’s favorites. Oakleaf lettuces add interest to the garden and table .
What did the Romans do with lettuce?
Lettuce regained its association with sexual potency during its time with the Romans, who, like the Egyptians, believed it could increase stamina. They took advantage of its medicinal qualities, serving a salad before meals to stimulate digestion, and again after dinner as a sleep aid. Like their lettuce-growing precursors, Romans further developed lettuce for better-tasting leaves, and in about 77 A.D., Pliny the Elder recorded numerous cultivars in his Natural History. “The black lettuce is sown in the month of January, the white in March, and the red in April; and they are fit for transplanting … at the end of a couple of months,” he writes, adding “the purple, the crisped, the Cappadocian, and the Greek lettuce” to the list. Pliny also identifies an “inferior” lettuce with notably bitter leaves, now suspected to be chicory ( Cichorium intybus ). Fresh, young lettuce leaves were served in salads, and large, tough leaves were cooked and served with vinegar and oil.
What was the first lettuce to replace New York?
In 1941, ‘Great Lakes,’ a true iceberg lettuce, replaced ‘New York’ as America’s leading lettuce. It was bolt-resistant, productive in extreme weather conditions, and denser than crispheads before it. In 1944, ‘Great Lakes’ was the All-America Selections winner, and this iceberg is what Americans ate for decades in salads, sandwiches, and slaws.
How to keep lettuce plants cool?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so it needs daily watering. Mulch with straw to conserve water and smother competing weeds. Use shade cloth to keep lettuce cool in midsummer, and use low tunnels for protection through winter.
Where did lettuce grow?
The alternate name, “cos,” was used for the stem lettuce grown on the Greek island of Kos, a major lettuce-producing region.
When did the ISS experiment with lettuce?
In 2016, the ISS astronauts experimented with cut-and-come-again lettuce for an extended harvest period, continuing to test possibilities for growing food on space vehicles, and to improve the garden modules for better harvests.
When was lettuce first described?
By 50 AD, many types were described, and lettuce appeared often in medieval writings, including several herbals. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the development of many varieties in Europe, and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described that can still be found in gardens.
Where does lettuce come from?
World production of lettuce and chicory for 2017 was 27 million tonnes, 56% of which came from China. Lettuce was originally farmed by the ancient Egyptians, who transformed it from a plant whose seeds were used to create oil into an important food crop raised for its succulent leaves and oil-rich seeds.
How to grow lettuce in cold climates?
A hardy annual, some varieties of lettuce can be overwintered even in relatively cold climates under a layer of straw, and older, heirloom varieties are often grown in cold frames. Lettuces meant for the cutting of individual leaves are generally planted straight into the garden in thick rows. Heading varieties of lettuces are commonly started in flats, then transplanted to individual spots, usually 20 to 36 cm (7.9 to 14.2 in) apart, in the garden after developing several leaves. Lettuce spaced farther apart receives more sunlight, which improves color and nutrient quantities in the leaves. Pale to white lettuce, such as the centers in some iceberg lettuce, contain few nutrients.
What is the synonym of Lactuca sativa?
Synonyms. Lactuca scariola var. sativa (Moris) L. scariola var. integrata ( Gren. and Godr.) L. scariola var. integrifolia ( G.Beck) Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, ...
What is lettuce called in Latin?
The Romans referred to lettuce as lactuca ( lac meaning dairy in Latin), an allusion to the white substance, now called latex, exuded by cut stems. This word has become the genus name, while sativa (meaning "sown" or "cultivated") was added to create the species name.
What is a sativa seed?
L. sativa seeds. Lactuca sativa is a member of the Lactuca (lettuce) genus and the Asteraceae (sunflower or aster) family. The species was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in the second volume of his Species Plantarum.
Why are my lettuce leaves turning yellow?
Lettuce also suffers from several viral diseases, including big vein, which causes yellow, distorted leaves, and mosaic virus, which is spread by aphids and causes stunted plant growth and deformed leaves. Aster yellows are a disease-causing bacteria carried by leafhoppers, which causes deformed leaves. Fungal diseases include powdery mildew and downy mildew, which cause leaves to mold and die and bottom rot, lettuce drop and gray mold, which cause entire plants to rot and collapse. Crowding lettuce tends to attract pests and diseases. Weeds can also be an issue, as cultivated lettuce is generally not competitive with them, especially when directly seeded into the ground. Transplanted lettuce (started in flats and later moved to growing beds) is generally more competitive initially, but can still be crowded later in the season, causing misshapen lettuce and lower yields. Weeds also act as homes for insects and disease and can make harvesting more difficult. Herbicides are often used to control weeds in commercial production. However, this has led to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds and prompted environmental and health concerns.
What was the most popular lettuce in the 1950s?
By the 1950s iceberg lettuce was the most commonly consumed lettuce in the U.S., with average per capita consumption around 20 pounds. Refrigeration technology developed to the point that iceberg lettuce was even shipped to American soldiers in Vietnam.
Why didn't all heads of lettuce get eaten?
But then, the iceberg growers and packers, who were always looking to improve their business model, realized that not all heads of lettuce got fully eaten because they were only ever sold in a full-head form. That led to the next revolutionary invention -- that of bagged salad greens.
What was the first commodity to make organics attractive to mainstream shoppers?
One researcher, Julie Guthman, said on the episode that salad greens were "the first commodity to make organics attractive to mainstream shoppers.". They're what turned the tide of public opinion from viewing organics as "hippy food" and turned them into desirable "yuppy chow.".
What was the first fresh produce?
Lettuce was the first fresh produce that Americans were able to buy any day or week of the year. Prior to this, they relied on root vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Lettuce exploded onto the culinary scene when growers in California's Salinas Valley figured out how to send train cars filled with iceberg lettuce across ...
What did the invention of mescluns mean?
Their invention, however, meant that farmers could now ship more fragile lettuces, like Romaine, arugula, endive, Boston bibb, butterhead, and radicchio, further afield. As a result, mixed salad greens, or mesclun mixes, became a normal part of the American diet.
Who invented the bagged salad greens?
That led to the next revolutionary invention -- that of bagged salad greens. What I never realized was how complex those plastic bags of greens are. Jim Lug, who worked to design the first bags, told Nuttall-Smith that there are numerous layers within the plastic that you cannot see.
Is lettuce boring?
We've now reached a point where lettuce is so normal that's is almost boring. It's the vegetable nobody really thinks about, that everyone takes for granted because it's so cheap and available; and yet, as Nuttall-Smith points out, most Americans only know the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, when it comes to lettuces.
What is lettuce?
Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a leafy herbaceous annual or biennial plant in the family Asteraceae grown for its leaves which are used as a salad green. The lettuce plant can vary greatly in size, shape and leaf type but generally, the leaves of the plant form a dense head or loose rosette. The stem of the plant is short, with larger leaves arranged at the bottom and becoming progressively smaller further up the stem. Leaves can be smooth or curly and are usually green or red in color. The lettuce plant can grow to a height of 30–100 cm (12–40 in) in height and is typically grown as an annual, harvested after only one growing season. Lettuce may be referred to as garden lettuce and is believed to originate from Asia Minor and the Middle East.
What are the leaves of lettuce?
The lettuce plant can vary greatly in size, shape and leaf type but generally, the leaves of the plant form a dense head or loose rosette. The stem of the plant is short, with larger leaves arranged at the bottom and becoming progressively smaller further up the stem. Leaves can be smooth or curly and are usually green or red in color.
Why are my lettuce leaves turning brown?
Small red to brown spots on lower leaves, usually on underside of midrib which may expand rapidly causing the leaves to rot; amber colored liquid may ooze from leaf lesions; as stems rot, head of lettuce becomes slimy and brown and collapse; a tan or brown mycelial growth may be visible in infected tissue. Cause. Fungus.
What is the color of the leaves on a sage plant?
White, powdery fungal growth on the top and underside of older leaves; leaves turning yellow or brown; small black fruiting bodies may be visible
How long does it take for a sage plant to grow?
Plant new seeds every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Can a sage plant be grown in acidic soil?
It is often grown in alkaline soil (pH greater than 7.0) but will not tolerate acid soil.
Is lettuce a salad green?
Lettuce is primarily eaten raw as a salad green. Some varieties can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
How long does it take for lettuce to mature?
17.2) from February. and will be covered in fleece or polythene for the first 2–4 weeks to reduce the risk of frost damage. Lettuce takes 6–8 weeks to mature depending on lettuce type and time of year with summer transplantings maturing most quickly.
How many types of lettuce are there?
There are seven main cultivar groups of lettuce, each including many varieties like loose leaf, romaine, iceberg, butterhead, summercrisp.
What are the symptoms of lettuce mosaic?
Lettuce mosaic symptoms consist of mottling or yellowing of the leaves, followed by distortion and marginal necrosis of leaves, dwarfing of the plant, and failure to produce a marketable lettuce head. Losses from the disease can be very severe.
How severe is lettuce mosaic virus?
Lettuce mosaic virus (750 by 12 nm) is transmitted by several species of aphids and by 1 to 8% of the seed produced by infected plants. Plants infected through the seed are the main source of virus for its subsequent transmission by aphids to other plants.
How many lettuces can you grow in one season?
Due to the short production time, lettuce can have two or three crops grown in one field in a season. One year breaks are possible but longer breaks are beneficial.
What are the disadvantages of lettuce?
Disadvantages are the difficulty of producing hybrid seed without selfed seed and the small number of seeds produced from each pollination; but these difficulties can be largely overcome. The importance of lettuce as a crop, particularly in the USA and Europe, has resulted in many breeding programs.
What are the objectives of present day breeding programs for lettuce?
Objectives of present-day breeding programs for lettuce are divided into three main areas: (1) resistance to diseases and pests, (2) increased yield and uniformity, and (3) improvement in horticultural characteristics such as quality and resistance to early bolting. The chapter discusses these objectives.
Overview
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled. One variety, the celtuce (asparagus lettuce), is grown for its stems, which are eaten either raw or cook…
Taxonomy and etymology
Lactuca sativa is a member of the Lactuca (lettuce) genus and the Asteraceae (sunflower or aster) family. The species was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in the second volume of his Species Plantarum. Synonyms for L. sativa include Lactuca scariola var. sativa, L. scariola var. integrata and L. scariola var. integrifolia. L. scariola is itself a synonym for L. serriola, the common wild or pric…
Description
Lettuce's native range spreads from the Mediterranean to Siberia, although it has been transported to almost all areas of the world. Plants generally have a height and spread of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in). The leaves are colorful, mainly in the green and red color spectrums, with some variegated varieties. There are also a few varieties with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves.
History
Lettuce was first cultivated in ancient Egypt for the production of oil from its seeds. The plant was probably selectively bred by the Egyptians into a plant grown for its edible leaves, with evidence of its cultivation appearing as early as 2680 BC. Lettuce was considered a sacred plant of the reproduction god Min, and was carried during his festivals and placed near his images. The plant wa…
Cultivation
A hardy annual, some varieties of lettuce can be overwintered even in relatively cold climates under a layer of straw, and older, heirloom varieties are often grown in cold frames. Lettuces meant for the cutting of individual leaves are generally planted straight into the garden in thick rows. Heading varieties of lettuces are commonly started in flats, then transplanted to individual spots, usually 20 to 3…
Production
In 2020, world production of lettuce (report combined with chicory) was 28 million tonnes, with China alone producing 14.3 million tonnes or 52% of the world total (see table).
Lettuce is the only member of the genus Lactuca to be grown commercially. Although China is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is …
Culinary use
As described around 50 AD, lettuce leaves were often cooked and served by the Romans with an oil-and-vinegar dressing; however, smaller leaves were sometimes eaten raw. During the 81–96 AD reign of Domitian, the tradition of serving a lettuce salad before a meal began. Post-Roman Europe continued the tradition of poaching lettuce, mainly with large romaine types, as well as the method of pouring a hot oil and vinegar mixture over the leaves.
Food-borne illness
Food-borne pathogens that can survive on lettuce include Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, which multiplies in storage. However, despite high levels of bacteria being found on ready-to-eat lettuce products, a 2008 study found no incidents of food-borne illness related to listeriosis, possibly due to the product's short shelf life, indigenous microflora competing with the Listeria bacteria or inhibition of bacteria to cause listeriosis.