{"id":17017,"date":"2026-09-02T12:00:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aromexperten.se\/?p=17017"},"modified":"2026-10-28T16:06:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:06:44","slug":"what-is-wild-lettuce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aromexperten.se\/en\/what-is-wild-lettuce\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Wild Lettuce? A Guide to Lactuca virosa"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"cornerstone-article wild-lettuce-guide\">\n<p class=\"article-lead\">\n<strong>Wild Lettuce<\/strong> is the common trade name for <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em>, a herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae. The species is closely related to other plants in the genus <em>Lactuca<\/em> and is characterised by, among other things, yellow flower heads, a sturdy stem and a white milky sap that the plant releases when its tissue is damaged.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nIn this guide, we go through the plant\u2019s botanical identity, natural distribution, appearance and chemical composition. <strong>In addition<\/strong>, we explain terms such as lactucarium, lactucin and lactucopicrin, as well as the difference between crushed plant material and powder. Finally, we look at documentation, quality and safe product classification.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"information-box\">\n<h2>Wild Lettuce quick facts<\/h2>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Scientific name<\/th>\n<td><em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> L.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Common name<\/th>\n<td>Wild Lettuce \/ bitter lettuce<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Plant family<\/th>\n<td>Asteraceae<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Order<\/th>\n<td>Asterales<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Plant type<\/th>\n<td>Biennial herb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Natural distribution<\/th>\n<td>Europe, Madeira and north-western Africa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Known compound groups<\/th>\n<td>Sesquiterpene lactones and other plant metabolites<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Product forms at Aromexperten<\/th>\n<td>Crushed plant material and powder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\">Origin of Aromexperten\u2019s raw material<\/th>\n<td>Europe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"table-of-contents\">\n<p><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#vad-ar-wild-lettuce\">What is Wild Lettuce?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#botaniskt-namn\">Wild Lettuce and Lactuca virosa<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#utbredning\">Where does Lactuca virosa grow?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#utseende\">What does the plant look like?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#latex\">What is the plant\u2019s white latex?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#lactucarium\">What does lactucarium mean?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#kemisk-sammansattning\">Which compounds does Lactuca virosa contain?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#lactucin-lactucopicrin\">Lactucin and lactucopicrin<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#variation\">Why can the chemical profile vary?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#pulver-krossat\">Powder or crushed raw material?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#kvalitet\">How do you assess quality?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#forvaring\">Storage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sakerhet\">Research and safety<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#regelverk\">Product classification<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fragor\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"vad-ar-wild-lettuce\">\n<h2>What is Wild Lettuce?<\/h2>\n<p>\nWild Lettuce is a common English name for <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em>. The species belongs to the family Asteraceae, the same large plant family that includes dandelions, chicory and several other <em>Lactuca<\/em> species.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nDespite the name, Wild Lettuce should not automatically be equated with ordinary cultivated lettuce. <strong>Instead<\/strong>, <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> is a separate botanical species with its own morphological and chemical characteristics.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe plant develops a sturdy above-ground structure and produces a white milky sap when leaves or stems are damaged. This latex has received a great deal of attention in historical and chemical literature.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>That is why<\/strong> it is important to distinguish between the plant itself, dried plant material, plant latex and historical preparations of the latex.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"botaniskt-namn\">\n<h2>Are Wild Lettuce and Lactuca virosa the same plant?<\/h2>\n<p>\nYes, when the trade name Wild Lettuce is used specifically for <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, accepts <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> L. as a distinct species name within the genus <em>Lactuca<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>At the same time<\/strong>, everyday names such as \u201cwild lettuce\u201d can be used less precisely in trade and popular literature. The scientific name therefore gives much better botanical precision.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"information-box\">\n<p>\n<strong>Botanical identification:<\/strong> a clear raw material description should always state <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> and not just the name Wild Lettuce.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nRead the taxonomic record at<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/powo.science.kew.org\/taxon\/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A329493-2\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew \u2013 Lactuca virosa<br \/>\n<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"utbredning\">\n<h2>Where does Lactuca virosa grow?<\/h2>\n<p>\nKew states that the natural range of <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> covers Madeira, large parts of Europe and north-western Africa.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe species occurs naturally in, for example, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece, Morocco and Algeria.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>In addition<\/strong>, people have introduced the species to certain other areas outside its natural range.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nKew describes it as a plant that mainly belongs in temperate environments.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAromexperten\u2019s raw material has <strong>Europe as its stated commercial origin<\/strong>. This lies within the species\u2019 main geographical range.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"utseende\">\n<h2>What does Wild Lettuce look like?<\/h2>\n<p>\n<em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> develops an upright and relatively sturdy stem. The leaves are oblong and can have clearly toothed or lobed edges.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>In addition<\/strong>, the stem can develop reddish or violet tones. During flowering, the plant forms several small yellowish flower heads.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe fruits develop a pappus, a collection of fine hairs that helps the seed spread with the wind.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAnother characteristic feature is the white plant latex that appears when the tissue is damaged.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>Overall<\/strong>, however, more characteristics than colour and leaf shape are needed for reliable species identification. When botanical identity matters, supplier documentation should complement the visual assessment.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"latex\">\n<h2>What is the white latex in Wild Lettuce?<\/h2>\n<p>\nPlants in the genus <em>Lactuca<\/em> can produce a white milky sap, often called latex, in specialised plant structures.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nWhen a leaf or stem is damaged, the plant releases the latex. <strong>In this way<\/strong>, it functions as part of the plant\u2019s natural chemical and physical defence system.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nResearchers have analysed latex from various <em>Lactuca<\/em> species and identified several sesquiterpene lactones and their chemical derivatives.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>For example<\/strong>, a study in the <em>Journal of Biological Chemistry<\/em> describes lactucin, deoxylactucin and lactucopicrin, as well as conjugated forms of these compounds, in latex from <em>Lactuca<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nRead the study via<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10858433\/\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nPubMed \u2013 Metabolite profiling of sesquiterpene lactones from Lactuca species<br \/>\n<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"lactucarium\">\n<h2>What does lactucarium mean?<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe term <strong>lactucarium<\/strong> often appears in older literature about Wild Lettuce.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe word refers to a material that was historically obtained by collecting and drying latex from certain <em>Lactuca<\/em> species.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>That is why<\/strong> lactucarium is not the same as whole dried leaves, crushed plant material or ordinary plant powder.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Term<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">What does it describe?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Whole plant<\/td>\n<td>The botanical organism <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Crushed raw material<\/td>\n<td>Dried plant material that the producer has broken into smaller pieces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Powder<\/td>\n<td>Dried plant material that the producer has ground more finely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Latex<\/td>\n<td>The natural white milky sap that the plant produces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Lactucarium<\/td>\n<td>Historical name for collected and dried Lactuca latex<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<strong>In other words<\/strong>, a product made from ground <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> should not be described as lactucarium if it actually consists of ordinary dried plant material.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"kemisk-sammansattning\">\n<h2>Which compounds does Lactuca virosa contain?<\/h2>\n<p>\nChemical research on <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> and other species in the genus <em>Lactuca<\/em> describes several natural secondary plant compounds.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nParticular interest has been directed at <strong>sesquiterpene lactones<\/strong>. This group includes lactucin, lactucopicrin, 8-deoxylactucin and various closely related derivatives.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>In addition<\/strong>, researchers have described other groups of compounds within <em>Lactuca<\/em>, for example phenolic compounds and flavonoids.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThis does not mean, however, that every sample contains exactly the same compounds or the same levels.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"information-box\">\n<p>\n<strong>Important:<\/strong> scientific literature describes the plant species or analysed research samples. It does not automatically show the chemical profile of a specific commercial batch.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"lactucin-lactucopicrin\">\n<h2>What are lactucin and lactucopicrin?<\/h2>\n<p>\nLactucin and lactucopicrin are natural sesquiterpene lactones that researchers have studied within the genus <em>Lactuca<\/em> and in closely related plants.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nChemically, the compounds belong to the group of guaianolide lactones. <strong>In addition<\/strong>, this type of compound contributes to the characteristic bitterness of several lettuce and chicory plants.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAt the same time, studies of <em>Lactuca<\/em> show that the plant can contain both free compounds and chemically bound derivatives.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>That is why<\/strong> a simple statement such as \u201ccontains lactucopicrin\u201d is not the same as a quantitative analysis of a commercial product.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nFor an actual content figure, the laboratory needs to analyse the raw material in question using a suitable method and relevant reference standards.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"variation\">\n<h2>Why can the chemical profile vary?<\/h2>\n<p>\nBotanical raw materials are naturally variable materials.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nResearch within <em>Lactuca<\/em> shows, for example, that the profile of sesquiterpene lactones can vary between species and varieties. <strong>In addition<\/strong>, the proportions can change depending on the plant\u2019s developmental stage.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nWhich plant part the laboratory analyses also matters. Latex, leaves, stem and root do not necessarily show the same chemical profile.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>Consequently<\/strong>, you should be careful about transferring a result from a particular plant part or research study to an entirely different raw material.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nGeographical origin, harvest time, drying and storage conditions can also contribute to differences between botanical batches.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"pulver-krossat\">\n<h2>Wild Lettuce as powder or crushed raw material<\/h2>\n<p>\nAromexperten offers <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> as both powder and crushed botanical material.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nBoth forms come from the same botanical raw material. <strong>However<\/strong>, they differ in particle size and physical structure.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Product form<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Processing<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Practical difference<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Crushed<\/td>\n<td>Dried plant material is broken into smaller pieces<\/td>\n<td>The plant structure is more clearly visible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Powder<\/td>\n<td>Dried plant material is ground into smaller particles<\/td>\n<td>The material gets a finer and more uniform physical form<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Extract<\/td>\n<td>Selected components are transferred from the raw material through an extraction process<\/td>\n<td>A different product form from ordinary plant powder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"information-box\">\n<p>\n<strong>Grinding is not extraction.<\/strong> A powder does not become more concentrated just because the producer grinds the material more finely.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nRead the product information for<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/aromexperten.se\/en\/shop\/botanicals\/wild-lettuce-lactuca-virosa\/\"><br \/>\nWild Lettuce \u2013 Lactuca virosa<br \/>\n<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"kvalitet\">\n<h2>How do you assess the quality of Wild Lettuce?<\/h2>\n<p>\nColour, smell and structure can give a first impression of a botanical raw material. <strong>However<\/strong>, visual properties are not enough to verify botanical identity or chemical composition.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nA more thorough quality assessment therefore combines raw material information with traceability and relevant analytical data.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>It helps to check the following:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"checklist\">\n<li>the full botanical name <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em><\/li>\n<li>which plant part or parts the raw material consists of<\/li>\n<li>country of origin<\/li>\n<li>whether the material is crushed or powdered<\/li>\n<li>batch number where available<\/li>\n<li>date and traceability information<\/li>\n<li>available microbiological analyses<\/li>\n<li>any heavy metal analyses<\/li>\n<li>storage information<\/li>\n<li>the product\u2019s clearly stated technical intended use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What can a laboratory analysis show?<\/h3>\n<p>\nDifferent analyses answer different questions.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>For example<\/strong>, microbiological tests can examine specified microorganisms. A separate analysis can instead measure selected heavy metals.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nIf you want to determine the amount of lactucin or lactucopicrin, however, a relevant chemical analysis is required.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>That is why<\/strong> a product description should never use a microbiological quality test as evidence of a specific alkaloid or lactone content.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"forvaring\">\n<h2>How do you store Wild Lettuce?<\/h2>\n<p>\nStore dried botanical raw materials in a dry, cool place, protected from direct sunlight.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>In addition<\/strong>, the packaging should be kept properly closed to reduce contact with moisture, air and foreign material.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nPowder has a larger exposed surface than coarser crushed material. <strong>That is why<\/strong> unsuitable storage conditions can affect finely divided material more quickly.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAlways follow the information on the product packaging. Also keep the raw material out of the reach of children and separate from food, medicines and animal feed.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"sakerhet\">\n<h2>What does research say about Wild Lettuce and safety?<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe scientific literature on <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> includes both chemical studies and medical case reports.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nOne published case report describes eight people who needed hospital care after ingesting Wild Lettuce. All of them recovered, but one person needed intensive care for part of the hospital stay.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>This matters from a raw material perspective.<\/strong> Historical information or laboratory research about a plant should not be interpreted as evidence that a botanical product is suitable for ingestion.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"important-notice\">\n<p>\n<strong>Aromexperten\u2019s Wild Lettuce is not intended for consumption.<\/strong> This article therefore gives no instructions on dosage, preparation, ingestion, inhalation or any other medical use.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThe published case report is available at<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21686920\/\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nPubMed \u2013 Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity<br \/>\n<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"regelverk\">\n<h2>Product classification and Wild Lettuce<\/h2>\n<p>\nA plant\u2019s botanical history or its appearance in older literature does not automatically determine how a commercial product may be classified in the EU.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<strong>Instead<\/strong>, the product form, actual composition, intended use and marketing need to be assessed in context.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe European Commission provides, among other things, a Novel Food status catalogue with information on raw materials that may fall under the rules on novel foods.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe catalogue is for guidance only. <strong>That is why<\/strong> it does not replace a complete product-specific legal assessment.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nRead more at<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/food-safety\/novel-food\/novel-food-status-catalogue_en\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nEuropean Commission \u2013 Novel Food Status Catalogue<br \/>\n<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"information-box\">\n<p>\n<strong>Aromexperten\u2019s product classification:<\/strong> Wild Lettuce is sold as a botanical raw material for technical and botanical use. The product is not sold as food, a food supplement, a medicine or animal feed and is not intended for consumption.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"fragor\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about Wild Lettuce<\/h2>\n<h3>What is Wild Lettuce?<\/h3>\n<p>\nWild Lettuce is a common name for <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em>, a biennial herb in the family Asteraceae.\n<\/p>\n<h3>Is Wild Lettuce ordinary lettuce?<\/h3>\n<p>\nNo. <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> and cultivated lettuce, <em>Lactuca sativa<\/em>, belong to the same genus but are different botanical species.\n<\/p>\n<h3>Where does Lactuca virosa grow naturally?<\/h3>\n<p>\nKew gives Madeira, Europe and north-western Africa as the species\u2019 natural range.\n<\/p>\n<h3>What is the white liquid in the plant?<\/h3>\n<p>\nIt is the plant\u2019s natural latex or milky sap. <strong>When the tissue is damaged<\/strong>, the plant releases the latex from specialised structures.\n<\/p>\n<h3>What is lactucarium?<\/h3>\n<p>\nLactucarium is a historical name for material made from collected and dried <em>Lactuca<\/em> latex. It is therefore not the same as ordinary crushed plant material or powder.\n<\/p>\n<h3>What is lactucin?<\/h3>\n<p>\nLactucin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone that researchers have identified within the <em>Lactuca<\/em> genus.\n<\/p>\n<h3>What is lactucopicrin?<\/h3>\n<p>\nLactucopicrin is a closely related sesquiterpene lactone that also appears in chemical research on <em>Lactuca<\/em>.\n<\/p>\n<h3>Do all batches have the same levels of lactucin and lactucopicrin?<\/h3>\n<p>\nThis cannot be assumed. Research shows variation between plant materials and developmental stages. <strong>That is why<\/strong> an exact content figure requires analysis of the batch in question.\n<\/p>\n<h3>Is Wild Lettuce powder an extract?<\/h3>\n<p>\nNo. Powder is ground plant material. An extract, by contrast, requires a separate extraction process.\n<\/p>\n<h3>Is Aromexperten\u2019s Wild Lettuce intended for consumption?<\/h3>\n<p>\nNo. The product is sold as a botanical raw material for technical use and is not intended as food, a food supplement, a medicine, animal feed or for human consumption.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>\nWild Lettuce is the common trade name for <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em>, a plant in the family Asteraceae that is native to Europe, Madeira and north-western Africa.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe plant develops white latex and contains several natural sesquiterpene lactones. <strong>Among others<\/strong>, researchers have studied lactucin, lactucopicrin and closely related compounds within the <em>Lactuca<\/em> genus.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe chemical profile can, however, vary between plant materials, plant parts and developmental stages. <strong>That is why<\/strong> general scientific literature cannot replace a batch-specific product analysis.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAromexperten offers the raw material as crushed plant material and powder of European origin. Both forms are botanical raw materials, while an extract or lactucarium describes other types of material.\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<aside class=\"important-notice\">\n<h2>Important information<\/h2>\n<p>\nThis article describes <em>Lactuca virosa<\/em> from a botanical, chemical and raw material perspective. It contains no consumption advice, dosage instructions, preparation instructions or medical recommendations.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n<h2>Explore Wild Lettuce as a botanical raw material<\/h2>\n<p>\nRead more about the botanical name, available forms, origin, storage and the product\u2019s stated technical intended use.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"button-group\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aromexperten.se\/en\/shop\/botanicals\/wild-lettuce-lactuca-virosa\/\"><br \/>\nSee Wild Lettuce<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aromexperten.se\/en\/product-category\/botanicals\/\"><br \/>\nBotanical raw materials<br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"small-print\">\nThe product is sold as a botanical raw material for technical use. It is not food, a food supplement, a medicine or animal feed and is not intended for consumption.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sources\">\n<h2>Sources and further reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/powo.science.kew.org\/taxon\/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A329493-2\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew \u2013 Lactuca virosa L.<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/10858433\/\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nSessa et al. \u2013 Metabolite profiling of sesquiterpene lactones from Lactuca species<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0021925819614560\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nJournal of Biological Chemistry \u2013 metabolite profiling of Lactuca latex<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21686920\/\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nBesharat et al. \u2013 Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3031874\/\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nPubMed Central \u2013 full text of the case report on Lactuca virosa<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/food-safety\/novel-food\/novel-food-status-catalogue_en\"\ntarget=\"_blank\"\nrel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nEuropean Commission \u2013 Novel Food Status Catalogue<br \/>\n<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"small-print\">\n<strong>Last fact-checked:<\/strong><br \/>\n<time datetime=\"2026-08-11\">11 August 2026<\/time>\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wild Lettuce is the common trade name for Lactuca virosa, a herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae. The species is closely related to other plants in the genus Lactuca and is characterised by, among other things, yellow flower heads, a sturdy stem and a white milky sap that the plant releases when its tissue is [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[254],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-botanical-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is Wild Lettuce? 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