Nabalus is a genus of Asian and North American flowering plants in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae.

Many (perhaps all) of the species are monocarpic perennials, in which an individual plant may live for multiple years in a vegetative condition but then will die after flowering and fruiting.

[5] The erect plant like present day romaine, with a thick stem and smooth sap had sexual meanings.

Min devoured lettuce as a consecrated nourishment for sexual stamina, and conventional Egyptians utilized the oil of the wild seeds for medication, cooking, and preservation .

The Greeks passed their lettuce-developing information on to the Romans, who named the plant "lactuca," signifying "milk," for its white sap.