Kentucky Plant Atlas




Taxonomic distinction unclear    No county information
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Asteraceae <Eupatorieae> Liatris hirsuta (squarrosa var. h.)
Liatris hirsuta Rydb.
ALI: no HAB: n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a ABU: n/a, n/a, 0
This largely midwestern species, or variety of squarrosa, is reportedly disjunct further east from Miss. to Ga. (Gaiser 1946; F, Cr, FNA 21, Y, W). It may also occur in western regions of Tenn. and Ky., but colls. that have been called var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser in Ky. are generally not distinct from typical squarrosa based on recent treatments. Moreover, hirsuta in general often appears intermediate between squarrosa and cylindracea, suggesting hybrid origin. Compared to squarrosa, phyllaries of hirsuta (as in cylindracea) mostly have abruptly contracted apices (versus usually more tapering); outer ones are relatively short and spreading-reflexed for only 0-2 mm (versus equalling or longer than inner ones). Hairs on leaves and stems of hirsuta are relatively straight and spreading; those on typical squarrosa are "bent or curled, appressed to loosely matted" (Y). Densely hairy plants in Ky. are scattered with the moderately hairy plants of typical squarrosa, with no clear difference in distribution, and they are combined here with typical squarrosa pending further analysis. The few colls. that appear closer to true hirsuta are included provisionally with cylindracea; see below.