Crop: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Use/Type: Standard

Breeder: Frank Morton Wild Garden Seed

OSSI Pledge Date: 11/18/2015

Release Date: 11/18/2015

Bred for Organic Systems: Yes

Commercial Availability: Yes

Variety Type: Finished Variety

Description

We first noticed this compact little “Lollo-type” leaf lettuce within the somewhat variable curls of our original ‘Merlot’ stock seed. The leaves are very dark purple, small and round with the characteristic hyper-crisped frilly margins of the finest Lollo lettuces, but it seems impervious to downy mildew. 125 years ago, these supercurled types were referred to in Europe as “California curled lettuce.” I think of them as Italian lettuces. Identities lost and found. Farm Original Variety!

Availability from OSSI Seed Company Partners

• Wild Garden Seed
• Fedco Seeds