Mulgedium pulchellum
in R. Sweet, Hort. Brit. ed. 3, 418. 1839.
Leaf blades 3–12(–18) cm × 5–25(–35+) mm. Involucres 12–15+ mm. Cypselae: bodies 4–5+ mm, beaks 0–1 mm; pappi 7–9(–12+) mm. 2n = 18.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Calcareous sites, clearings in forests or shrublands, meadows, roadsides, stream banks, other wet sites
Elevation: 800–3200 m
Distribution
Alta., B.C., Man., N.W.T., Ont., Que., Sask., Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., La., Maine, Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo.
Discussion
The type of Mulgedium pulchellum may be conspecific with that of M. tataricum (Linnaeus) de Candolle, a Eurasian species. Or, if “perennial” plus “Fl. blue” constitutes sufficient description for valid publication of the name Lactuca oblongifolia Nuttall (1813), then a new combination in Mulgedium based on that name may be appropriate for what is here called M. pulchellum. Presence of Mulgedium pulchellum in Texas is based on a single, early collection.
Selected References
None.