Plants

lettuce

Lactuca sativa L.

Family: Asteraceae · Genus: Lactuca

Placenta I Low No biomass production

lettuce — en:User:Geographer · CC BY · Wikimedia Commons

Annual leafy vegetable cultivated in syntropic systems in the low stratum of the Placenta I phase. Pasini lists it in the medium stratum of Tabela 3. Tolerates partial shade; ideal under young bananas and papayas. Cycle of 50–70 days.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Low
Strata: Low
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Partial sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Drought tolerance: Low
Soil pH range: 6–7
Preferred soil texture: Sandy, Loamy
Hardiness zones: 5–9

Morphology

Mature height: 0.2–0.3 m
Root system: Taproot
Root depth: Shallow
Growth rate: Very fast
Lifespan: ≤ 1 year
Time to first harvest: 2 months

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable

Köppen classes

Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Lettuce takes the Low stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of lettuce?

The first harvest of lettuce comes around 2 months after planting.

How tall does lettuce grow?

At maturity, lettuce reaches 0.2–0.3 m tall.

What stage and stratum does lettuce occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, lettuce belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the low stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit

Propagation

Seed

Citations

Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Lactuca sativa (height_min_m, height_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max, drought_tolerance, soil_texture_preference, water_need)