| Tennis Ball Lettuce | |
| Lactuca sativa |
A popular lettuce with a long history dating back as early as the 17th century. This variety yields small (to 7"), but loose heads of butterhead type leaves. It was a popular lettuce at the famous Jefferson Monticello garden and would become one of the most popular lettuces in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, after being popularized in the mid 1850's. Oddly, the traditional use was not for its fresh leaves, but whole heads were pickled in salt brine and eaten. Tennis Ball is still a popular variety today for its early ripening and compact heads that are great in salads and for fresh use.
Maturity: 50 days.
Origin: Exact origin unknown, but it appears to be an American or possibly European heirloom dating well back to the 17th century.