In Ky. this northeastern species has been reported from JEFF (Gunn 1968b; see GH), MEAD (NCU ex DHL), MONT and POWE (Wharton 1945; see MICH), but identifications have not been verified. It is known from all states north of Ky., where it "often hybridizes with S. cyperinus and forms hybrid swarms" (FNA 23). (A recent report from Tenn., based on SERNEC data dump, is erroneous..) A coll. from LAUR (P. Johnson #15 at EKY) may be intermediate. In pedicillatus, spikelets are in more open cymes, usually pedicillate except for the central one in each cyme (versus at least some sessile in addition to central ones); scales are mostly pale brown except for occasional blackish midribs or margins (versus reddish-brown or blackish); and fruits mature in Jul (versus Aug-Sep); 2n = 68.