Lactuca floridana (Woodland lettuce)

Woodland lettuce, or Florida blue lettuce, is a species of wild lettuce native to eastern and central North America. The plants are an annual or biennial that occur in deciduous forests on rich, average to moist soil. The genus name “Lactuca” is based on the Latin word for milk, and refers to the plant's milky and usually bitter latex sap.

 

The young basal leaves resemble a large dandelion, and are edible fresh picked as greens before the plant goes to flower. Older leaves can be boiled for 10 minutes and used as a potherb. The plant is generally bitter but supposedly less so in the spring.

 

We personally grow this species for its tendency to grow in part sun and shade, and its towering well-branched blue flowering heads, noteworthy for attracting bees, moths, and butterflies. Having over 100 flowers at once, these typically open just a few at a time ranging from midsummer into fall, giving a long bloom time. Wind-dispersed seeds can be harvested in October or November.

 

Woodland lettuce grows a 3-4 feet tall when grown in part sun to shade. It can happily exceed 6 feet when grown in full sun and rich, moist soil. It grows a deep taproot. This plant does not seem bothered by heavy competition from surrounding plants. It is commonly associated in the wild with such species as Solidago rugosa (wrinkleleaf goldenrod), Persicaria virginiana (Virginia jumpseed), Eurybia divaricata (white wood aster), and Virginia creeper.