This is widespread in eastern states, but largely restricted to thin, disturbed woodland on somewhat base-rich soils. Although F, Cr, J, Isely (1998) and others appeared to deal with earlier confusion in nomenclature, Reveal & Barrie (1991) claimed that L. frutescens (L.) Hornem is the correct name for this species, and that violacea should be applied to what has been called intermedia. This change is already adopted by K. W and Y, but it breaks a long tradition and causes much confusion. If there really is a problem with the rules of nomenclature, the rules should be changed to conserve these names. This is the kind of thing that gives botanists a bad name! L. violacea appears closest to repens, differing as folllows: flowers with keels distinctly longer than wings (versus as long or slightly longer); stipules mostly longer (3-6 mm versus 1.5-3 mm), and often with axillary clusters of small leaves (versus generally absent); plants usually somewhat ascending (versus prostrate). Distinction of vegetative violacea from intermedia can be difficult; intermedia is more strictly erect, with branches only above the middle. Also, leaflets of intermedia tend to be more oblong (versus elliptic) and smaller on average: mostly 8-30 x 3-17 mm versus 20-50 x 8-30 mm. And intermedia usually lacks axillary clusters of small leaves.