We used to have lots of it growing in the parking strip. For a while we cut it back, then got rid of it altogether. It seems a fair placeholder to keep other weeds from moving in until you decide you want to plant something else.
Yes you can throw it in salads. You can even pickle the fat stems. Edible and crunchy and about as flavorful as iceberg lettuce, which is to say not much….still when I get it, I do toss it (in the salad that is).
