Lactuca hirsuta var. albiflora (Torrey & A. Gray) Shinners; L. hirsuta var. sanguinea (Bigelow) Fernald

Biennials, 15–80(–120) cm. Leaves on proximal ¹/3–²/3 of each stem; blades of undivided cauline leaves ± ovate, margins denticu-late (sometimes ± ciliate), midribs usually piloso-setose. Heads in corymbiform to paniculiform arrays. Involucres 12–18+ mm. Phyllaries usually reflexed in fruit. Florets 12–24+; corollas usually yellow, sometimes drying bluish, usually deliquescent. Cypselae: bodies brown, ± flattened, elliptic, 4.5–5+ mm, beaks ± filiform, 2.5–3.5 mm, faces 1(–3)-nerved; pappi white, 6.5–8(–10+) mm. 2n = 34.

Flowering Jul–Aug(–Sep). Openings in woods; 10–100 m; N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va.

The type of Lactuca hirsuta may be conspecific with that of L. graminifolia.