Definition

Noun * A variety of lettuce: Lactuca sativa longifolia is the botanical name for a specific cultivar of lettuce, commonly known as romaine or cos lettuce. It is characterized by its elongated head and long, stiff, dark green leaves that have a firm texture and a distinctive rib.

Usage

• This term is primarily used in formal, scientific, or agricultural contexts to precisely identify this specific type of lettuce plant.
• In everyday language, the common names "romaine lettuce" or "cos lettuce" are used instead.

Examples

• Scientific/Agricultural Context:
  • The study compared the nutritional content of Lactuca sativa longifolia with that of butterhead varieties.
  • For this recipe, farmers are encouraged to grow Lactuca sativa longifolia due to its heat tolerance.
• Implied Usage (using the common name):
  • The Caesar salad requires crisp romaine lettuce, which is the Lactuca sativa longifolia variety.
  • She planted cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa longifolia) in her vegetable garden.

Advanced Usage

• The name follows binomial nomenclature (genus , species ) with the addition of a varietal epithet (, meaning "long-leaved").

Variants and Related Words

• Romaine lettuce (n): The most common common name for this variety in American English.
• Cos lettuce (n): Another common name for this variety, frequently used in British English.
• Lettuce (n): The general term for plants in the genus , cultivated for their edible leaves.

Synonyms

• Romaine
• Cos lettuce

Notes

• is not typically used in idioms, phrasal verbs, or casual conversation. It is a technical, taxonomic term.

Noun

1. lettuce with long dark-green spoon-shaped leaves