This is known only from cliff-crevices in the central Appalachians east of Ky., and in disjunct localities of w. Ky., s. Ind and s. Ill. near the Ohio Rv. It is generally diploid (2n = 24, rarely 48). Some dubious reports (including from CALL and FULT) may be based on escaped waifs of H. telephium, which is commonly cultivated (M). H. telephioides differs from telephium and its allies (FNA 8) in the following characters: styles longer (1.5-2 mm versus ca. 1 mm); nectaries quadrate and pinkish (versus oblong and yellow or whitish), stamens 5, about half as long as petals (versus 0-10, often about as long as petals); petals relatively short (ca. 2x sepals versus 2.5-3x), with white to pink color (versus purple/red or white with green midrib); flowers fully fertile (versus often sterile). Also, leaves are all cuneate (versus rounded to distally cuneate), entire to dentate (versus all coarsely serrate to dentate, at least near apex), and green to yellow-green (versus dull green). Roots are pale brown and stout (versus white and tuberous, "carrot-like").