Organic Seed Packet - Red Oak Leaf Lettuce - Ecoumene

In 1856, Vilmorin-Andrieux referred to oak leaf (green) and artichoke leaf (red) lettuces as "romaine" (or "Cos"). Their description read: "No head. Very numerous basal leaves, 30 cm long, divided into very elongated lobes, pointed at the apex, marked with a brownish-green color with some brown spots, erect, arranged in a fascicle and forming a well-filled heart." In 1883, a sentence about it accompanied the description of the oak leaf lettuce: "The artichoke leaf 'Romaine' is still sometimes cultivated; it is very similar to this one and differs little from it except by the brown tint of its foliage."

Fortunately, this excellent lettuce did not fall into complete oblivion and eventually came back into vogue! Like the green-leaf variety, it is very resistant to bolting, which occurs late in autumn. Abundant tender and very decorative leaves are produced. Cut leaves store very well and are harvested when they measure 15 cm. By leaving the heart in place, you will get several regrowths during the season.

Days to harvest: Young leaves: 28 | Mature leaves: 55