The leaves taste like spinach and the plant is related to the common cultivated spinach. The undersides of the leaves have a slightly rough texture so you may prefer it cooked rather than raw in a salad. Other Greens Many other plants, cultivated as well as wild, can be used as greens either cooked or in salads. Never eat wild greens unless you can positively identify them as a safe, edible plants. Seed catalogs are a good source for information on growing and using greens from the garden.
Some companies sell seed for uncommon greens from all around the world.
General Growing Requirements and Culture Lettuce and other salad greens have similar cultural requirements. Methods discussed for growing lettuce can be applied to most other salad greens discussed in this NebGuide. Lettuce germinates and grows best at low temperates and will withstand a moderate freeze. Because of this, it should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. It also does well as a fall crop and can be planted in August.