Steinmetz:Lactuca

Lactuca canadensis

Also known as (or relevant to) Lactuca canadensis Lactuca elongata Family Compositae English Names Canadian Lettuce Natural Habitat North America Part(s) Used Herba Lactucae canadensis

Constituent(s) lactucic acid Action used for making Lactucarium canadense

Lactuca muralis

Also known as (or relevant to) Lactuca muralis Mycelis muralis Family Compositae English Names lvy-leaved Lettuce Natural Habitat Europe Mediterranean countries North-West Africa Caucasus Asia Minor

Action used for the same purposes as other varieties of Lactuca

Lactuca sativa var. Capitata

Also known as (or relevant to) Lactuca sativa var. Capitata Family Compositae English Names Garden Lettuce Cabbage Lettuce Natural Habitat Europe (especially Netherlands and France) Himalayas China and cultivated the world over Part(s) Used Herbs Lactucae sativae

Constituent(s) acids lactucetin (lactucon) albumen mannite lactucin (chief bitter principle) iron vitamin C Action emollient; well-known vegetable. - Used for making Lactucarium gallicum (the inspissated milky juice) which is narcotic and hypnotic

Lactuca scariola

Also known as (or relevant to) Lactuca scariola Lactuca serriola Lactuca altissima Family Compositae English Names Prickly Lettuce Compass plant Natural Habitat Caucasus Europe mainly France Part(s) Used Herba Lactucae scariolae

Constituent(s) lactucin (bitter principle) acids lactucerin (lactucon) albumen iron Action diuretic antispasmodic sedative emollient toxic - Probably through cultivation Lactuca sativa has come from this plant

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book

Lactuca virosa

Also known as (or relevant to) Lactuca virosa Family Corupositae English Names Wild Lettuce Poison Lettuce Acrid Lettuce Lettuce Opium Sleepwort Natural Habitat Europe India Persia North Africa Part(s) Used Herba Lactucae virosae = Herba Intybi angusti

Constituent(s) lactucin lactucic acid lactucerin (lactucon) wax mannite albumen acids Action diuretic sudorific expectorant galactagogue laxative sedative anodyne hypnotic toxic; used for making Lactucarium germanicum (the inspissated juice) which is narcotic and much stronger than Lactucarium gallicun (obtained from Lactuca sativa vat capitata)

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book