Similar to Mycelis muralis but showing more than 5 florets.. The Romans likewise claimed that it increased sexual potency. This photo was originally published in "This Tiny Country Feeds the World" in September 2017. Lettuce can be grown in a garden almost anywhere in the US, but by far the majority of commercial lettuce is grown in the Salinas Valley on California's central coast. [10] Today, the majority of lettuce is grown for its leaves, although one type is grown for its stem and one for its seeds, which are made into an oil. You can pick loose-leaf lettuce varieties from six weeks, at 10 weeks for hearting types. Books published in the mid-18th and early 19th centuries describe several varieties found in gardens today. Because lettuce that flowers (through the process known as "bolting") becomes bitter and unsaleable, plants grown for consumption are rarely allowed to grow to maturity. [1] At room temperature, lettuce seeds remain viable for only a few months. Lettuce will also cross with Lactuca serriola (wild lettuce), with the resulting seeds often producing a plant with tough, bitter leaves. This was done for several reasons, the most prominent being to boost sales by promoting a "new" variety or to prevent customers from knowing that the variety had been developed by a competing seed company. Fungal diseases include powdery mildew and downy mildew, which cause leaves to mold and die and bottom rot, lettuce drop and gray mold, which cause entire plants to rot and collapse. IKEA, the world's biggest furniture retailer, is preparing to serve lettuce grown in high-tech containers outside its stores as part of efforts to improve its environmental profile. By 50 AD, many types were described, and lettuce appeared often in medieval writings, including several herbals. In 1917, 3,350 carloads of butter lettuce were shipped to terminal markets across the U.S., compared to only 2,078 carloads of iceberg lettuce. sativa,[1] L. scariola var. [28], Lettuce is very easy to grow, and as such has been a significant source of sales for many seed companies. In addition, since the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, lighting, and other conditions can be perfectly controlled by ICT, a stable yield of high-quality, low-potassium lettuce can be harvested throughout the year. [13], Lettuce's native range spreads from the Mediterranean to Siberia, although it has been transported to almost all areas of the world. It's by far the world's most popular salad plant and has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. This lettuce is so local, they grow it right in the supermarket QFC supermarkets around Seattle now feature standing indoor farms that grow the produce in the store. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the development of many varieties in Europe, and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described that can still be found in gardens. Lactuca virosa is biennial, similar to prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola but taller – it can grow to 200 cm (80 inches or almost 7 feet). [17] Once plants move past the edible stage, they develop flower stalks up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high with small yellow blossoms. [55] In contrast, the ancient Greeks connected the plant with male impotency,[10] and served it during funerals (probably due to its role in the myth of Adonis' death), and British women in the 19th century believed it would cause infertility and sterility. [33] Hydroponic growing methods can reduce this water consumption by nearly two orders of magnitude. tatarica. It ships well, but is low in flavor and nutritional content, being composed of even more water than other lettuce types. There are several types or cultivars of lettuce. This lettuce is so local, they grow it right in the supermarket QFC supermarkets around Seattle now feature standing indoor farms that grow the produce in the store. The cultivated lettuce Lactuca sativa is a popular salad vegetable and is grown on all continents throughout the world including Australia.. Summary. Depending on the variety, lettuce is an excellent source (20% of the Daily Value, DV, or higher) of vitamin K (97% DV) and vitamin A (21% DV) (table), with higher concentrations of the provitamin A compound, beta-carotene, found in darker green lettuces, such as romaine. Outbreaks Associated with Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce. Romaine lettuce is often used for Caesar salads. China is the world leader in lettuce production, producing half of the world's lettuce.Stem lettuce is grown in the country and the stems are prepared as a cooked vegetable. The plant is usually cultivated as a leaf vegetable in different parts of the world. By the late 1900s, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa became more substantial markets. Lettuce spread to the Greeks and Romans; the latter gave it the name lactuca, from which the English lettuce is derived. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent. Lettuce can be grown from seed or from steams depending on the variety. I’m worried that it gets too hot here in the late summer months to grow lettuce. The river -- along with almost constant sunshine, warm weather and ready access to a deep pool of skilled farm workers from across the border in Mexico -- has allowed Yuma to become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. So, with the hot months approaching, now is a good time to discuss growing this vegetable.. It has few leaves, bolts quickly and produces seeds around 50 percent larger than other types of lettuce. [39], Soil nutrient deficiencies can cause a variety of plant problems that range from malformed plants to a lack of head growth. Amy Schleunes Mar 9, 2020. Whilst lettuce is mostly used in salads it can also be used in soups, sandwiches and sandwich like meals. Currently, the crisphead variety is more dominant in northern and western Europe. Space-Grown Lettuce Is Safe and Astronaut-Approved NASA’s vegetable production system, known as Veggie, may help pave the way for more sophisticated systems that could supplement astronauts’ diets during long trips to space. They need moist soil to grow correctly. For example, the larvae of the ghost moth is a common pest of lettuce plants. The International Space Station (ISS) has been experimenting with growing its own lettuce and good news for astronauts, a study found the space-grown variety to be just as nutritious as Earth-grown. These upright lettuces were developed by the Egyptians and passed to the Greeks, who in turn shared them with the Romans. The ancient Romans consumed lettuce leaves cooked and served with a dressing of vinegar and oil as far back as 50 AD. Spain and then the US are the two largest exporters of lettuce in the world. Summercrisp – Also called Batavian or French crisp, this lettuce is midway between the crisphead and leaf types. The cultivated lettuce Lactuca sativa is a popular salad vegetable and is grown on all continents throughout the world including Australia.. [12] The name romaine came from that type's use in the Roman papal gardens, while cos, another term for romaine lettuce, came from the earliest European seeds of the type from the Greek island of Cos, a center of lettuce farming in the Byzantine period. Longer taproots and more extensive secondary systems are found in varieties from Asia. [45] Stem lettuce was first developed in China, and remains primarily cultivated in that country. [7] L. scariola is itself a synonym for L. serriola, the common wild or prickly lettuce. Lettuce leaves are widely used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and similar food items. [40] Mammals, including rabbits and groundhogs, also eat the plants. Amy Schleunes Mar 9, 2020. The vegetable has also been linked to outbreaks of parasitic infestations, including Giardia lamblia.[51]. Lettuce is grown on all continents, but the greatest consumers and producers are the USA (91 000 hectares, of which 60 000 ha are in California) and Europe (total EEC area 80 000 ha). The original stem type traveled eastward, ... produce nearly all the commercially grown lettuce in the world. Countries worldwide are steadily supplying more and more produce to Americans eager to “eat fresh” year-round [29] Although most lettuce grown today is used as a vegetable, a minor amount is used in the production of tobacco-free cigarettes; however, domestic lettuce's wild relatives produce a leaf that visually more closely resembles tobacco. Lactuca virosa is biennial, similar to prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola but taller – it can grow to 200 cm (80 inches or almost 7 feet). [50], Other bacteria found on lettuce include Aeromonas species, which have not been linked to any outbreaks; Campylobacter species, which cause campylobacteriosis; and Yersinia intermedia and Yersinia kristensenii (species of Yersinia), which have been found mainly in lettuce. Today, lettuce leaves are mainly consumed while one type is cultivated for seeds to prepare and oil and another type is cultivated for its stem. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an annual of the Asteraceae family and native to the Mediterranean.It is thought to have originated in Europe and Asia and been cultivated for at least 2000 years. Romaine is more popular in the Mediterranean countries. It is also stouter, the stem and leaves are more purple flushed, [disputed – discuss] the leaves are less divided, but more spreading. The study noted that in some trials, the space-grown plants tended to be richer in elements like potassium, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, and zinc, as well as in some molecules with proven antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity. [16][19] The ovaries form compressed, obovate (teardrop-shaped) dry fruits that do not open at maturity, measuring 3 to 4 mm long. Description. Lettuce spaced farther apart receives more sunlight, which improves color and nutrient quantities in the leaves. Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. Up until now, only micro greens and herbs have proven financially viable for vertical production in the UK, but such developments will allow mainstream salad produce to be grown domestically for the retail sector – both in store and, more importantly, in big warehouses – starting with baby leaf and moving into gem and cos lettuce, lollo rossa, oakleaf and other salad leaves. Planting lettuce in a greenhouse Each fruit contains one seed, which can be white, yellow, gray or brown depending on the variety of lettuce. Ancient records note that lettuce was served at the royal table of Persian kings as early as 550 B.C. Yuma farmers grow a host of crops: wheat, oranges, lemons, dates, alfalfa. This large price difference is justified; as hydroponic lettuce has a better taste, is grown without pesticides, and requires significantly less water to grow. "Lettuce" is synonymous with "salad" for people all over the world. Up until now, only micro greens and herbs have proven financially viable for vertical production in the UK, but such developments will allow mainstream salad produce to be grown domestically for the retail sector – both in store and, more importantly, in big warehouses – starting with baby leaf and moving into gem and cos lettuce, lollo rossa, oakleaf and other salad leaves. In the US, no one type predominated until the early 20th century, when crisphead lettuces began gaining popularity. [31] Many insects are attracted to lettuce, including cutworms, which cut seedlings off at the soil line; wireworms and nematodes, which cause yellow, stunted plants; tarnished plant bugs and aphids, which cause yellow, distorted leaves; leafhoppers, which cause stunted growth and pale leaves; thrips, which turn leaves gray-green or silver; leafminers, which create tunnels within the leaves; flea beetles, which cut small holes in leaves and caterpillars, slugs and snails, which cut large holes in leaves. "[23] Its use in religious ceremonies resulted in the creation of many images in tombs and wall paintings. The early 20th century saw the development of new packing, storage and shipping technologies that improved the lifespan and transportability of lettuce and resulted in a significant increase in availability. Optimum growth temperature for lettuce is 16 to 18 °C and the plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 7 °C. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday said romaine lettuce grown in Florida is safe to eat. It's by far the world's most popular salad plant and has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. Some varieties, especially those found in the United States and Western Europe, have long, narrow taproots and a small set of secondary roots. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com, The World’s Largest Oil Reserves By Country, Top Cotton Producing Countries In The World. [55] This narcotic effect is a property of two sesquiterpene lactones which are found in the white liquid (latex) in the stems of lettuce,[30] called lactucarium or "lettuce opium". China is the world leader in lettuce production, producing half of the world's lettuce.Stem lettuce is grown in the country and the stems are prepared as a cooked vegetable. How to Keep Growing Lettuce in Fall (and Winter) Even in cold winter areas, you can grow lettuce through the colder months if you give your plants some protection. Description. [51] Lettuce has been linked to numerous outbreaks of the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella; the plants were most likely contaminated through contact with animal feces. [32] With the exception of the iceberg variety, lettuce is also a good source (10–19% DV) of folate and iron (table). Spain is the world's largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second. Europe and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 20th century the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world. [27], Western Europe and North America were the original major markets for large-scale lettuce production. Large areas of lettuce are also grown in southeastern Australia, Japan, China, Israel, northern Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. Three types – leaf, head and cos or romaine – are the most common. This page was last edited on 31 December 2020, at 11:28. These include fused anthers that form a tube which surrounds a style and bipartite stigma. Types of Lettuce Produced The emergence of California as a dominant lettuce production area in the 1920s had a large impact on the types of lettuce consumed. Thanks. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an annual of the Asteraceae family and native to the Mediterranean.It is thought to have originated in Europe and Asia and been cultivated for at least 2000 years. Because lettuce is used in salads, we tend to eat more of it in summer. Let’s have a look at how you can grow lettuce in a greenhouse! In addition, since the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, lighting, and other conditions can be perfectly controlled by ICT, a stable yield of high-quality, low-potassium lettuce can be harvested throughout the year. And today you rarely see a home garden without some kind of lettuce growing in it. LETTUCE has been successfully grown in space — bringing the colonisation of Mars a step closer say scientists. I’m worried that it gets too hot here in the late summer months to grow lettuce. [13] Lettuce was first brought to the Americas from Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century. [53] Salmonella bacteria, including the uncommon Salmonella braenderup type, have also caused outbreaks traced to contaminated lettuce. Frankly, lettuce can now be grown almost anywhere in the World. In 2017, world production of lettuce (report combined with chicory) was 27 million tonnes, with China alone producing 15.2 million tonnes or 56% of the world total (see table). Certain varieties contain more than others, and some selective breeding and genetic modification studies have focused on using this trait to identify and produce commercial varieties with increased pest resistance. In 2013, 24.9 million tons of lettuce were produced in the world. The plant was thought to help the god "perform the sexual act untiringly. According to the study, published in … Stem lettuce, widely consumed in China, is eaten either raw or cooked, the latter primarily in soups and stir-frys. [32] In spite of its high water content, traditionally grown lettuce has a low water footprint, with 237 liters of water required for each kilogram of lettuce produced. The salad crops were free of disease and even more nutritious than ones grown on Earth. "Lettuce" is synonymous with "salad" for people all over the world. The pappus remains at the top of each fruit as a dispersal structure. [18] Like other members of the tribe Cichorieae, lettuce inflorescences (also known as flower heads or capitula) are composed of multiple florets, each with a modified calyx called a pappus (which becomes the feathery "parachute" of the fruit), a corolla of five petals fused into a ligule or strap, and the reproductive parts. Temperatures above 27 °C (81 °F) will generally result in poor or non-existent germination of lettuce seeds. [18] This propensity for crossing, however, has led to breeding programs using closely related species in Lactuca, such as L. serriola, L. saligna, and L. virosa, to broaden the available gene pool. However, in China, a majority of the lettuce produced is utilized for domestic consumption. The plant was first cultivated by ancient Egyptians from where it spread to Greece and Rome and was soon cultivated in most parts of Europe. Growers in the USA, Canada, Japan and Europe are opting for a semi-closed greenhouse in combination with the nutrient film … Lettuce is also used in cooked dishes in different parts of the world. Contaminated lettuce is often a source of bacterial, viral, and parasitic outbreaks in humans, including E. coli and Salmonella. Post-Roman Europe continued the tradition of poaching lettuce, mainly with large romaine types, as well as the method of pouring a hot oil and vinegar mixture over the leaves. One variety, the celtuce (asparagus lettuce) (t: 萵苣; s: 莴苣; woju), is grown for its stems, which are eaten either raw or cooked. [6] Synonyms for L. sativa include Lactuca scariola var. Work in these areas continues through the present day. In these areas it was the most commonly grown lettuce in the twenty-first century. China alone produced about 13.5 million tons. Where did lettuce originate from? In the US, several varieties of lettuce are grown. 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