$20.00
Description
There’s something about wild lettuces that captivates the imagination—and yet, there is bitterness to contend with. In this class we take a look at prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), a common non-native species thought to be the ancestor of modern lettuce, as well as several natives including Canada lettuce (L. canadensis), tall blue lettuce (L. biennis), and a prairie perennial called blue lettuce (L. pulchella). We learn where, when, and how to harvest for best results. Then we turn to opium lettuce (L. virosa), a potent non-native found in parts of North America, including Colorado. Using this species as a case study, we explore the medicinal reputation of wild lettuces more broadly—looking at traditional uses, physiological effects, and safety considerations—so you can better understand where food, bitterness, and medicine intersect within this interesting group.
