Unidentified Spider - Brown Recluse, Wolf Spider, or Something Else?

Observation by Barbara Churchill:

During an unusual heat wave here in Anchorage, I was outside watering my flower baskets when a large spider dropped down from the basket. It quickly "jumped" up into a flower, and when I observed it, it appeared to be a brown recluse with brown stripes and long legs. I did not think to take a picture but I did look it up on my phone to identify it, as I immediately destroyed it knowing it was poisonous.

Comments from LEO Editors:

There are eleven species of recluse spider (genus Loxosceles) in the United States, and many other species of spider that look similar. Recluse spiders are found in warm regions of the US. Although it is possible that they could show up here hitching a ride from outside, they are not thought to be established in Alaska. The best way to identify a spider is to take a picture, something which is often very hard to do.

Wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) are common in Alaska, have striped bodies, and can move very quickly. They can be found in a wide range of habitats, including gardens and sheds. For more photos of wolf spiders, some with very defined stripes along their backs, see the associated link to Wikipedia. Additional information about wolf spiders, and other beneficial insects of Alaska, can be found in the attached publication by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension. Erica Lujan