Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr.

European Cornsalad; Lamb's Lettuce

Herb

Annual

Vascular

European Cornsalad is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Valerian family (Valerianaceae). It is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. In Alabama it can be found primarily in the northern half of the state. European Cornsalad grows in lawns, on roadsides, in fallow fields, in cemeteries, and in other disturbed sites. It is a winter annual with a tap root. The stems are erect, green in color, and dichotomously branched. Leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are petiolate and form a rosette, and the cauline leaves are sessile and opposite. The leaves are spatulate to elliptic-lanceolate in outline, entire, and glabrous. Flowers are produced in bracteate cymes. The outer brats of the cyme are spinulose-ciliolate. The corolla is funnelform, light blue in color, with 5 lobes. The fruit is a nutlet. European Cornsalad is a popular salad green in Europe where it is often served with chopped hard-boiled eggs and crumbled bacon. It is variously known as Doucette, raiponce, mâche, Nüsslisalat, or Nüssler.—A. Diamond

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Not Native G5 (Global Rank)

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