anuenue batavian lettuce

Its mellifluous Hawaiian name (pronounced AH-new-ee-new-ee) means ‘rainbow’ though it is a uniform dark green. Anuenue doesn’t look like much in June when most other lettuce is in full glory, but as the days get shorter and the heat gets stronger it really comes into its own. In late July and even early August, this 1987 University of Hawaii introduction has no peers for crispness and sweetness and never develops even the faintest hint of bitterness. Slow growth is its secret. It remains compact as it matures, surrounding its round tightly packed heart with crisp outer leaves. About a quarter of the plants show an even more compact form. Unlike most lettuces, seed will germinate at 80°. Also has some winter hardiness with protection, surviving temperatures in the teens under Covertan PRO 19 and old bed sheets in Janine Welsby’s unheated Ohio greenhouse.