Mulgedium pulchellum - Blue lettuce

Curretly Accepted Name: Lactuca oblongifolia (Mulgedium pulchellum (Pursh) G.Don - "This name is a synonym of Lactuca oblongifolia") [PWO][WFO]

Family: Asteraceae (Aster family) [E-flora]

Lactuca pulchella flower and buds
(Wikimedia)1
Sałata tatarska
(Wikimedia)2
Lactuca tatarica kz4
(Wikimedia)3

"Lactuca pulchella is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]

Habitat/Range

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[13]." [PFAF]

Edible Uses

Young Leaves

"Young leaves - raw or cooked[85, 212]." [PFAF]

Gum

"A gum obtained from the roots is used for chewing[161, 177, 212, 257]." [PFAF] "The gummy substance from the root is prepared and used as chewing-gum. The young plants are uprooted when several inches high and hung to dry. The roots may be used at any time. A few cuts allow the gum to exude; it is then carefully dried before chewing." [Stevenson Zuni]

Young Plant

L. serriola; The young plants can be used as potherbs. They take little cooking; we boiled them 10 minutes (at 5000 ft.) with one change of water. The result was voted edible, but somewhat unpalatable due to a bitter aftertaste. We advise mixing the wild lettuce with other blander tasting species until you are certain you will enjoy this background of bitterness. As with many other species, the plants can be blanched by excluding the light for a time. This can be done with straw, canvas or by inverting a tub over them. Plants treated in this way will be more tender and will lose at least some of their bitterness.L. pulchella used in a similar fashion.

Medicinal Uses

Plant

Root & Stem An infusion of the roots and stems has been given to children in the treatment of diarrhoea[257].
Poultice A poultice of the plants has been applied to piles[257]" [PFAF]

Sap

"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[K]. 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[4]. The sap contains 'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properties[9, 21, 46, 165, 192, 213, 238]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[4], nor is it addictive[7]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etc[238]. Concentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[238]. 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[4]. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowering plant can also be used[9]. 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[238] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[7, 9]. Some physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[213]. The sap has also been applied externally in the treatment of warts[222]." [PFAF]

Propagation
"Seed - sow April 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[K]." [PFAF]

Cultivation
"Prefers a light sandy loam[1]. 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[212]." [PFAF]

Synonyms

References

Image References