キク科アキノノゲシ属の一年草または越年草で、学名は Lactuca sativa var. capitata。英名は Cabbage lettuce。
The Cabbage lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) belongs to Asteraceae (the Aster family). It is an annual or biennial herb that is considered a cultivar of wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola). This vegetable was advanced to breed improvement after the Middle Ages. It was introduced into Japan in Meiji Era (1868-1912). The leaves are spread out at beginning, though they bulb up like a cabbage when mature. The panicles are borne on the flowering stalks and bloom the pale yellow flower-heads in midmorning from July to August. The plant is most common vegetable to be eaten raw.