Deer Tongue Lettuce

Deer tongue lettuce (Lactuca sativa), also called Matchless, is a variety of loose-leaf lettuce with pointed leaves. Deer tongue lettuce has triangular-shaped outer leaves growing upward and outward around a blanched heart, creating a distinct rosette shape. The habit is upright and the frame is relatively small, measuring 10 – 15 cm. It is quick to mature, peaking in the early spring. As a loose-leaf lettuce, it can be harvested at any stage of maturity, with younger leaves being milder in flavor. In addition to being heat and cold tolerant, deer tongue lettuce has a high nutritional value compared to other lettuces and is rich in vitamin A. There are several sub-varieties, including Red Deer Tongue and Amish Deer Tongue. It is a good variety for use in salads, and is often used to garner sandwiches. It also pairs well with aged cheeses, fresh fruits and rich meats.   The first record of a distinct variety of lettuce labeled as deer tongue lettuce in the United States appears in 1883. It is thought that this variety was brought to North America by English Settlers around 1740 and was officially documented by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in 1885. It seems that the origin of deer tongue lettuce within the United States is closely tied to the New England area. Beginning in the 1880s after it was first reported, deer tongue lettuce was included in agricultural studies of lettuce varieties in New England. It then seems to have grown in popularity until the industrialization of agricultural in post- World War II America to which its fragile leaves are not well adapted.   Today, deer tongue lettuce is mainly grown in backyard gardens and smaller farms. There are a number of commercial farms that are known to grow this variety, and seeds are available from various commercial sources. However, it is fragile compared to most commercially produced lettuces and difficult to transport. For this reason, deer tongue lettuce has never been grown on a large scale. Photo:Jenny Best