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Valerianella locusta

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Kemper Code:  A683

Common Name: lamb's lettuce
Zone: to
Plant Type: Annual
Family: Valerianaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Europe
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: -   
Bloom Color:
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low


Plant Culture and Characteristics

Sources for this plant

View our source(s)

 
  Uses:       Wildlife:   Flowers:   Leaves:   Fruit:
Hedge Suitable as annual Attracts birds Has showy flowers Leaves colorful Has showy fruit
Shade tree Culinary herb Attracts Has fragrant flowers Leaves fragrant Fruit edible
Street tree Vegetable   hummingbirds Flowers not showy Good fall color   Other:
Flowering tree Water garden plant Attracts Good cut flower Evergreen Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1') Will naturalize   butterflies Good dried flower     Thorns or spines

General Culture: Click for monthly care information.

Seed ¼" deep densely from August through fall and again in early spring. Full sun is required. Not demanding, but occasional watering helps through dry spells. Fertilize to keep leaves greener. Can withstand 5°F, but below that straw mulch is required to over winter.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Edible, mild-flavored salad green with a hint of nutty flavor and soft texture. Harvest entire rosette or individual leaves as they reach edible size. Harvest entire plant when flower head starts. To preserve 2 or 3 weeks, pop into plastic bag and refrigerate. Grew wild in European grain fields, hence the name: corn salad. Also in Europe, used as a forage crop for sheep and sometimes considered a pest in wheat and corn fields.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Use fresh in salads.

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