American Wild Lettuce vs Hairy Lettuce
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These two native lettuces are frequently confused. They look similar at a glance but are usually easily to distinguish by differences in pubescence, lobe shape, and length of involucres and seeds. L. canadensis ranges farther north, west, and southeast, and is much more common throughout its range. L. hirsuta is more shade-tolerant, but has a much more restricted range and is uncommon to rare in much of it.
American Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) | Hairy Lettuce (Lactuca hirsuta) |
A tall biennial native to eastern North America, having expanded its range westward as well. | |
 Involucres are longer, usually 12-22mm. Photo © Quinten Wiegersma, CC BY 4.0. |
Additional Notes
FNA reports the involucres of L. hirsuta as 12-18+mm, whereas FSUS reports the length of fruiting involucres specifically as 12-22mm.References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
