Nabalus albus - White Lettuce

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:	Prenanthes alba. L.
Range:	North-eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to N. Dakota.

Nabalus albus (White Lettuce) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
White Lettuce will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

White Lettuce will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
White Lettuce prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

White Lettuce can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Rich woods and thickets[222].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in shade or semi-shade in a moist but well-drained humus-rich neutral to acid soil[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The powdered root is sprinkled on food to stimulate milk flow after childbirth[222]. A tea made from the roots is used as a wash for weakness[222]. A latex in the stems is diuretic, it is used in female diseases[222]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of snakebite[222]. A poultice of the leaves or roots is applied to snakebites, dog bites etc[222].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Galactogogue - Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.