What is Wild Lettuce (virosa) c/s Oregon?

This is cut and sifted Lactuca virosa, Wild Lettuce, grown in Oregon near our shop as part of our Locally Grown line. It is the same species and form as our standard Wild Lettuce, with the added context of a known Pacific Northwest harvest. Wild Lettuce is a tall European biennial in the same genus as garden lettuce, set apart by its distinctly bitter milky latex.

About the plant

The milky latex is what earned the plant its old nickname "lettuce opium," or Opium Lettuce, even though it contains no opiate alkaloids whatsoever. The bitter constituents are sesquiterpene lactones such as lactucin and lactucopicrin. Our Locally Grown line features herbs cultivated or wildcrafted by partner growers in the Pacific Northwest, and Wild Lettuce is one of its regular offerings.

Related herbs

• Wild Lettuce (serriola) — the Oregon-grown sister species, Lactuca serriola.
• Wild Lettuce — our standard cut and sifted offering.

Wild Lettuce (virosa) c/s Oregon: form & sizes

We carry Wild Lettuce (virosa) c/s Oregon as cut and sifted dried herb, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Wild Lettuce (virosa) c/s Oregon in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Wild Lettuce (virosa) c/s Oregon at a glance

Botanical name

Lactuca virosa

Family

Asteraceae

Native region

Europe

Plant part

aerial parts

Also known as

Opium Lettuce, Bitter Lettuce

Sourcing

Oregon-grown (Pacific Northwest), part of our Locally Grown line

Studied compounds

Sesquiterpene lactones (lactucin, lactucopicrin)

Form

cut and sifted dried herb

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb