Lactuca virosa find!

[Zen Peddler]

I found this Lactuca species while gardening an area that was recently disturbed by black berry removal.

It looks like a Lactuca because of the spines along the stem of the leaves. But its got more meaty leaves than the Lactuca I see on the train line near where I live.

Some of the photos are a little poor as my camera doesnt focus very well, but check it out:

[Bretloth]

Looks like it too me, they grow wild everywhere here.

[Foo]

Have i got the same thing then? Sorry if im hijacking

Edit: i dont think do, im just think i can learn from why it isnt.

Edited December 4, 2011 by eatfoo

[planthelper]

eatfoo's plant is lactuca serriola.

and zenpeddler, the 1st one, is lactuca virosa, both are very good.

nice to have them by chance in the same thread.

[qualia]

plus one for some decent id picks, cheers

[SunChaser]

I think there growing across the road from my house, right along the yarra river?

Sorry the image was taken with a old 3G iphone.

Peace

[Foo]

Thanks!

[Zen Peddler]

Great Im excited. looking forward to putting it to good use over the holidays.

[planthelper]

jabez your pic in post #6, don't show lactuca, i don't know the name of your plants.

[Zen Peddler]

Yeah that last photo is another plant I find around here.

Hey is serriola active? its everywhere near me.

[SunChaser]

Oops yeah, the plants in that image don’t even bleed that milky sap. Think I identified serriola and then saw the other ones right near them, then just, well you know came to premature conclusions. I’ve quit nicotine or smoking and have the attention span of a hyperactive child atm, that’s my excuse anyway, lol.

Sorry about that, thanks for bringing my attention to the Genus as a local weed. Wikipedia state serriola is the closest relative to common lettuce. Which has got me very interested in it’s potential as a survival food, considering how abundunt it is.

Peace

[EntheoAssassin]

Lactuca virosa AND Lactuca serriola have edible leaves. I have both growing wild in my backyard. I have a section for harvesting lactucarium and the other section is to harvest leaves. It is a very viable survival food. Unfortunately they get poisoned all the time.

I can confirm Lactuca serriola is also active.....and I might even go as far as to say that any plant in the Lactuca genus, all of which exude Lactucarium (Lactuca gets its name from the the latin word lact which means milk).

Also, if it doesn't exude milky sap, it's not Lactuca. If it does exude milky sap, note it down and double, triple and quadruple check the other features to ensure you ID it correctly.

[Psylo]

Virosa & serriola should be harvested for their sap whilst in flower. It is alleged that the potency is significantly increased at this time

[Psylo]

Lactuca virosa AND Lactuca serriola have edible leaves. I have both growing wild in my backyard. I have a section for harvesting lactucarium and the other section is to harvest leaves. It is a very viable survival food. Unfortunately they get poisoned all the time.

I can confirm Lactuca serriola is also active.....and I might even go as far as to say that any plant in the Lactuca genus, all of which exude Lactucarium (Lactuca gets its name from the the latin word lact which means milk).

Also, if it doesn't exude milky sap, it's not Lactuca. If it does exude milky sap, note it down and double, triple and quadruple check the other features to ensure you ID it correctly.

 

Yea man, we can use google too .

[EntheoAssassin]

That's nice.