lamb’s lettuce

lamb's lettuceLamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta), an edible leaf vegetable.

lamb’s lettuce, (Valerianella locusta), weedy plant of the family Caprifoliaceae, native to southern Europe but widespread in grainfields in Europe and North America. It has been used locally as a salad green and as an herb with a nutty tangy flavour.

Italian corn salad, Valerianella eriocarpa, thrives in warmer areas. Both plants are hardier than regular lettuce.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Citation Information
Article Title: lamb’s lettuce
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 29 May 2019
Access Date: February 22, 2025