CAPITULUM: The International Compositae Alliance Newsletter

A harried past for a glabrous lettuce: Resurrection of Lactuca sanguinea Bigelow (Cichorieae), the wood lettuce from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, USA

Steven M. Ballou

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5468-3855

Kelly A. Omand

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5984-5171

Jennifer Karberg

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8130-5572

J. Mauricio Bonifacino

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0377-3853

Jennifer R. Mandel

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3539-2991

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53875/capitulum.02.2.05

Keywords: Asteraceae, collections, Compositae, herbarium, synonym, taxonomy

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Abstract

We resurrect from synonymy Lactuca sanguinea based on morphological analysis of herbarium specimens and field observations. We report recent populations of Lactuca sanguinea occurring in several locations across Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, USA, and provide the first collections in over fifty years within the state. The species consistently has predominantly dark purple-red stems and leaves and crimson corollas, which together with its glabrous nature sets it apart from Lactuca hirsuta. We designate a lectotype, present an expanded morphological description and taxonomic history for the species and provide line drawings and images.