This poorly understood southeastern taxon has been variously interpreted (F, Cr; Al-Shehbaz & Schubert 1989; FNA 26; W). Within the Ohio Valley, plants named hirticaulis may just represent occasional hairy plants of villosa, but a distinct variety or species may be justified on the Coastal Plain. It has been reported from Ky. by BA and Rogers (1941), but no complete convincing colls. have been located. There is a coll. from CALD (EKY, KY) that may be referred here: M.E. Wharton & M.R. Beckett #215. D. hirticaulis has also been reported from s. Ind. (D).