What is the origin of the botanical name Lactuca for lettuce, and what physical feature does it reference?
Answer
Derived from the Latin word for milk, referencing the white, milky sap.
The botanical genus name for lettuce, Lactuca, has a specific etymological origin directly related to the plant's physical characteristics when handled. This name is derived from the Latin word for milk. This derivation points specifically to the white, milky sap, or latex, that characteristically exudes from the leaves or stems when they are cut or damaged. This visual cue provided the ancient cultivators and botanists with the defining feature for classifying this group of greens, distinguishing it from other common garden vegetables.
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