Nabalus

Nabalus is a genus of Asian and North American flowering plants in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family.[1][2]

Nabalus
Nabalus alatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Cichorioideae
Tribe: Cichorieae
Subtribe: Crepidinae
Genus: Nabalus
Cass.
Type species
Nabalus trifoliatus

Nabalus is now considered the correct name for a group of plants in North America that were formerly considered to be members of Prenanthes, and were included in that genus in the Flora of North America treatment.[3] The common name for the genus is "white lettuce", and reflects its close relationship to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) but having flowers that are whitish or purplish-white in some species. Many (perhaps all) of the species are monocarpic perennials, in which an individual plant may live for multiple years in a vegetative condition but then will die after flowering and fruiting.[4]

Natural History

White Lettuce is firmly identified with Common lettuce, Lactuca sativa. Lactuca sativa has its inceptions in the Middle East. Egyptian divider paintings of Min, the divine force of fruitfulness, portray lettuce in development in around 2700 B.C[5]. The erect plant like present day romaine, with a thick stem and smooth sap had sexual meanings. Min devoured lettuce as a consecrated nourishment for sexual stamina, and conventional Egyptians utilized the oil of the wild seeds for medication, cooking, and preservation . After some time, the Egyptians reared their wild-type lettuce to have leaves that were not so much harsh but rather more attractive. The developed plants were as yet tall and upstanding, with discrete leaves instead of heads.

The Greeks figured out how to develop lettuce from the Egyptians[5]. They utilized it restoratively as a narcotic and served it as a plate of mixed greens toward the start of dinners to help with assimilation. They likewise kept on developing it for more delectable leaves. In Greek folklore, Aphrodite's sweetheart Adonis was murdered in a bed of lettuce by a pig sent differently by Artemis, who was desirous of his chasing ability, or by Persephone, who was jealous of his fondness for Aphrodite, or by Ares, who was envious of Aphrodite[5]. Whoever the prompting god was, lettuce was related with male feebleness and demise, prompting its introduction at memorial services.

The Greeks passed their lettuce-developing information on to the Romans, who named the plant "lactuca," signifying "milk," for its white sap[5]. In time, "lactuca" turned into the English word "lettuce," while the Roman name was safeguarded in the family name for lettuce and its relatives.

Species[6][7][8]

References
  1. Cassini, Alexandre Henri Gabriel de. 1825. Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles [Second edition] 34: 94-100 in French
  2. Tropicos, Nabalus Cass.
  3. Flora of North America FNA Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 264 Rattlesnakeroot, cankerweed, gall-of-the-earth, Prenanthes Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 797. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 349. 1754.
  4. Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 341 耳菊属 er ju shu Nabalus Cassini in F. Cuvier, Dict. Sci. Nat. 34: 94. 1825.
  5. Fischer, Nan. "The History of Lettuce - Plant Profiles - Heirloom Gardner". Heirloom Gardener. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  6. Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
  7. The Plant List search for Nabalus
  8. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps

[1]

  1. Fischer, Nan. "The History of Lettuce - Plant Profiles - Heirloom Gardner". Heirloom Gardener. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
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