Red leaf lettuce is a form of loose-leaf lettuce, very comparable to green leaf lettuce. The red leaf lettuce may be distinguished from green leaf lettuce by the color of the leafs, specifically the end of the leaf. The tips or ends of red leaf lettuce appear dark purple.
Red leaf lettuce is an annual plant that thrives in full sun in the spring and fall growing seasons and partial shade in the summer. It packs a high nutritional value, far superior to iceberg lettuce, into very few calories, about 15 per a 12-ounce (340.2 grams) serving. Additionally, red leaf lettuce is an excellent source of beta carotene, which may be indicated in reducing risk for developing cataracts.
Green and red leaf lettuces are essentially the same from a nutritional standpoint and in many other ways. Both green and red leaf lettuce are excellent foods. They tend to have a mild taste, a nice crunch, and are excellent as used in a variety of dishes.
Red leaf lettuce is commonly found across the world. It is most common in North America and in Europe and Asia, and when not grown indoors, this variety of lettuce needs a fairly temperate weather pattern. Fresh local heads are usually available from the midst of winter into spring, but some countries and US states have this lettuce available most of the year.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom |
: |
Plantae |
| (unranked) |
: |
Angiosperms |
| (unranked) |
: |
Eudicots |
| (unranked) |
: |
Asterids |
| Order |
: |
Asterales |
| Family |
: |
Asteraceae |
| Genus |
: |
Lactuca |
| Species |
: |
L. sativa |