This taxon is the broad-leaved segregate of senega that occurs in rocky subxeric to mesic woods of east-central states. It has been previously known as P. senega var. latifolia Torr. & Gray, but species status has been suggested by Trauth-Nare & Naczi (1998), and is favored for this Atlas. Trauth-Nare has labelled these plants as P. lonchophylla Greene, but more work is needed to ensure proper typification. They may be distiguished from typical officinalis as follows (W): larger leaves mostly 15-35 mm wide (versus 2-15 mm); capsules 3.5-4.2 mm long (versus 2.5-3.5 mm); seeds 3.0-3.5 mm long (versus ca. 2.5 mm). Also, it has been reported that plants in this complex from the southeastern United States have relatively yellow-brown roots. In contrast, typical northern plants (S. officinalis sensu stricto) have roots up to 15 x 1.2 cm and somestimes purplsh toards the top (Small & Catling 1999).