White lettuce growing in a small stand in the woods.
Nabalus albus
EDIBLE leaves
White lettuce is another bitter wild green that is not as well known to many foragers, but is as versatile as dandelion, dock, or wild lettuce.
White lettuce growing in a small stand in the woods.
White lettuce is a small, unassuming biennial plant with lone basal leaves that are smooth and flat, and which grow relatively parallel to the ground on a leaf stem 6 to 8 inches in height. The leaf shape is variable: some are arrow-shaped, some are lobed, some grow to be only 4 inches across, and some up to 12 inches in length. The younger leaves are slightly waxy and tender, growing more bitter and rough as the plant gets ready to send up its flower stalk in late summer. The flower stalk grows to 6 feet or more, and it is branched with very showy pink and white composite flower heads that bloom in August.
White lettuce is found in areas of dappled sun, in the woods and along trails. The basal leaves are unassuming and begin to push out in springtime as the mayapple dies back. The plant’s leaves are choice in the early spring, before the plant goes to flower. Once the stalk emerges, the leaves become significantly more bitter.
White lettuce grows singly or in stands depending on the distribution of the plant. Gather the leaves by hand. The leaves should be harvested sparingly to not damage the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Prepare upon harvesting.
The flavor and texture of white lettuce are more or less similar to that of dandelion or tender wild lettuce. Use as salad greens in a foraged salad with violets, trout lily, and watercress, or top sandwiches with a handful of the greens. To temper the bitterness, massage the greens with a lemon juice and mustard vinaigrette.
While not an endangered plant, white lettuce can be sparingly distributed in the forests and at the edges of the woods. To harvest the plant sustainably, gather only a few leaves from each plant so it can continue to grow and propagate.