Muhl. ex Nutt.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.135889
Element CodePDAST5F050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusLactuca
Other Common NamesLaitue hirsute (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsVarieties of Lactuca hirsuta are not recognized by FNA (vol. 19, 2006).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-19
Change Date2025-05-19
Edition Date2025-05-19
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsLactuca hirsuta is a biennial forb occurring in woodland openings and forest edges of eastern North America, from Ontario and Nova Scotia south to Texas and Georgia in the United States and Canada. This species is uncommon to rare throughout most of its range, though it is widespread. There are just over 200 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, succession, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Lactuca hirsuta is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsLactuca hirsuta occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario and Nova Scotia south to Texas and Georgia in the United States and Canada (FNA 2006). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are just over 200 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Lactuca hirsuta is threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, succession, invasive species, and other threats in some places (NatureServe 2025). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.