Egyptians have grown lettuce since 5000 BC. Egyptians bred lettuce from a weed, whose seeds were used to produce oil, into a plant grown for its leaves. Lettuce spread to the Greeks and Romans, the latter of whom gave it the name "lactuca", from which the English "lettuce" is ultimately derived. By 50 AD, multiple types were described, and lettuce appeared often in medieval writings, including several herbals. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the development of many varieties in Europe and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described that can still be found in gardens.
There are six lettuce cultivator groups by head type; Butterhead (bibb, tender, cool weather), Chinese lettuce (long leaf, bitter, robust, stir fry), Crisphead (iceberg), Looseleaf (first to mature, tender oak, baby leaf, does not form head), Romaine (tall upright head, sturdy leaf, tolerates head, bolt resistant), Summer Crisp (Batavia, dense head, crunchy, between iceberg and looseleaf). Delicious lettuce recipes.
Companions: onions, carrots, radish, cabbage, broccoli, beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries
