If you enjoy gathering wild plants for your dinner table, you also realize how important it is to properly identify them. Knowing the difference between wild lettuce and dandelions is especially important because although the two plants look similar, wild lettuce should not be ingested. Dandelions, on the other hand, are edible and used in salads and other dishes. Wild lettuce does have some medicinal properties, but any preparations made from this plant should be done by a professional. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between wild lettuce and dandelions, where to find them, how to grow dandelions in your own garden, and more.
| wild lettuce | dandelion | |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Asteraceae | Asteraceae |
| scientific name | lettuce | dandelion |
| alternative name | Opium lettuce, lettuce, large lettuce, tall lettuce, bitter lettuce, fragrant lettuce, poisonous lettuce, green chicory | Lion’s Tooth, Wild Endive, Bubble Ball, Royal Herb, Irish Daisy, Bellflower, Absinthe, Blow Ball |
| describe | Plants grow to 6 feet tall The leaves are long, oval, with serrated edges and small hairs underneath Yellow flowers grow in clusters on a single stem. Flowers mature into fluffy round seed pods | Plants grow to 12 inches tall. The long leaves that taper at the base are bright green with jagged edges and are soft to the touch. Flower stems can grow up to 30 inches tall. Each stem bears a bright yellow flower that grows into a fluffy round seed head, like a puffball. Flowers open in sunlight and close in darkness and rain |
| use | for medicinal purposes | Leaves, flowers, seeds, roots are all used The leaves and seeds can be used in salads, smoothies, stews, and more. flowers are used to make wine The root is used to make dandelion tea |
Classification
Wild lettuce and dandelion plants are often mistaken for each other, which is understandable because they look very similar and both belong to the same plant family, the Asteraceae. Common flowering plants such as asters, daisies, and sunflowers also belong to this family.
The scientific name of wild vegetables is lettuce It refers to the white, bitter milky milk produced by all wild lettuce plants. This bitter juice is called lactic acid bacteria and is found in roots, leaves and stems. Lactuca is the latin word for milk extract verosa Represents something that is poisonous or has a strong and unpleasant taste or smell.
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The scientific name of dandelion is dandelion. the word dandelion from the greek word dandelion, meaning is confusion, and Arcos, meaning is remedy. the second part of the name, Medicinalbecause it is officially recognized as a medicinal herb.
The name dandelion itslef originates from Middle English Deng Deyangfrom Anglo-French lion tooth Or the tooth of a lion. It refers to the characteristic jagged edges of plant leaves.
Therefore, just from the scientific names alone, it can be seen that the two plants are very different, and while dandelions are used for various edible purposes, wild lettuce should be treated with caution and should not be eaten.
origin
Wild lettuce is native to Eurasia, and the dandelion plant is thought to have originated in North America. However, they are now widespread throughout the world, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
describe
Although dandelion and wild lettuce plants look very similar, you can tell them apart by the size of the plant and the shape of the leaves. Let’s see how they look ij details.
The dandelion is already a very familiar plant to many people, so you’ll recognize its bright green leaves and jagged edges. Despite the different shape, the leaves are not sharp to the touch. Wild lettuce leaves are oblong and tapered at one end. The leaves have jagged edges and small hairs underneath.
Dandelion plants can grow up to 12 inches tall, with single flower stems up to 30 inches tall. Wild lettuce plants are much taller and can grow up to 6 feet tall. In addition, wild vegetables have tough stems, sometimes with purple spots. They may have small spines at the bottom. Dandelion stems are soft, green and hollow inside.
Dandelion flowers are easily recognizable, bright yellow in color. A flower grows on each stem, which opens in sunlight and closes in rain and darkness. They appear mainly in May and June, but they can bloom year-round.
Wild lettuce flowers look exactly like dandelion flowers, but you will find several flowers on the same stalk, whereas a dandelion always has only one flower on the stalk. They bloom in July and August.
When mature, the dandelion flower transforms into a round, fluffy seed head known as the familiar dandelion clock. Wild lettuce seed heads look exactly the same. The light, fluffy seed pods are blown around by the wind until they settle where the conditions are right for new plants to grow.
use
Dandelion plants have been used for a variety of purposes, both in food and medicine. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Young dandelion leaves and seeds can be added to salads, smoothies, stews, and stir-fries.
Dandelion wine is made from the flowers, and the roots are used to make tea. Dandelion plants also serve as food for many wild and domestic animals. As we saw earlier, dandelion plants are also used for medicinal purposes.
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Some people do eat wild vegetables as well as dandelions, but it’s not recommended. Not only does it taste bitter, but it can have all sorts of harmful side effects. At the very least, it will give you stomach cramps. However, the sap, leaves, and seeds of the wild lettuce plant are used medicinally, as a pain reliever. Again, it’s best to use these professionally prepared remedies rather than trying to make your own.
growth tips
If you decide you want to grow dandelions or wild lettuce plants in your vegetable garden, seeds are easy to find. You can propagate them just like nature does, by blowing on the seed heads, spreading the seeds over the area you want the plants to grow.
When the conditions are right, the seeds germinate and grow into dandelion or wild lettuce plants. Some nurseries also grow wild lettuce seedlings that can be transplanted.
Dandelion leaves should be picked when they are fresh and tender, with the least bitterness and the strongest flavor. Likewise, the flowers should be picked when they are young and bright yellow. Dandelion roots can be harvested at any time.
Wild Lettuce with Dandelions: Featured
One of the most important differences between these two plants is their lifespan. Dandelions are perennials, which means the plants renew themselves year after year. Wild lettuce, on the other hand, is a biennial, which means it only lives for two years.
However, visually identifying and differentiating plants on this basis is often not easy, if not impossible.
Wild Lettuce vs. Dandelion: Why Knowing the Difference Is Important
Gatherers know that in order to successfully add wild plants to your diet, it is necessary to properly identify them. This is especially true for plants like wild greens and dandelions because they look very similar and can be mistaken for each other. However, while all parts of the dandelion plant are safe to eat, wild lettuce can have some unwanted side effects that are best avoided.
next
- 6 Edible Weeds: How to Identify and Use Them
- Are Dandelions Poisonous to Dogs or Cats?
- Wild Onion vs. Wild Garlic: What’s the Difference?
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
