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(Valerianella locusta)
Common Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta)
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Maja Dumat
CC BY 2.0
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Maja Dumat
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CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Maja Dumat | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Uploader: blumenbiene | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Valerianella locusta, commonly known as Common Cornsalad or Lamb’s Lettuce, is an annual herb that thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woodlands, and along riverbanks in Europe, western Asia, and north Africa. It is a member of the Caprifoliaceae family, often grown for its edible leaves. Typically forming a low rosette, Common Cornsalad has spatulate leaves that can reach up to 15.2 cm in length. When stressed by warm conditions, it bolts, producing branched stems with clusters of small, bluish-white flowers. Each flower consists of five fused petals and three stamens, measuring 1.5 to 2 mm across.
Common Cornsalad is valued for its nutty flavor, dark green color, and tender texture, making it a favored salad green. It is a hardy plant, capable of growing in USDA zone 5, and is often cultivated as a winter green in milder climates. For optimal growth, it requires full sun exposure, consistent medium watering, and well-drained soil. While it is not particularly prone to diseases, it can attract aphids and slugs. Gardeners appreciate its ease of maintenance and the fact that it can be grown as a cut-and-come-again crop, providing multiple harvests from a single planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Common Cornsalad is valued for its nutty flavor, dark green color, and tender texture, making it a favored salad green. It is a hardy plant, capable of growing in USDA zone 5, and is often cultivated as a winter green in milder climates. For optimal growth, it requires full sun exposure, consistent medium watering, and well-drained soil. While it is not particularly prone to diseases, it can attract aphids and slugs. Gardeners appreciate its ease of maintenance and the fact that it can be grown as a cut-and-come-again crop, providing multiple harvests from a single planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Grasslands, open woodlands, and riverbanks in Europe, western Asia, and north Africa
Other Names
Common Names: European Cornsalad, Lewiston Cornsalad, Lamb’s Lettuce, Mache, Tandfri Vårsalat, Gewöhnliches Rapünzchen, Feldsalat, Gewöhnlicher Feldsalat, Mâche, Mâche Potagère
Scientific Names: , Valerianella locusta, Valerianella locusta f. locusta, Valerianella locusta var. locusta, Fedia olitoria, Valerianella locusta subsp. dunensis, Fedia canaliculata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr.