This has a similar range to candida, centered in the Great Plains. These species overlap much in habitat, but purpurea appears to be most common on sites that are somewhat damper early in the growing season. Although it is less common in Ky., purpurea is still locally abundant in some remnants of grassland that have been disturbed but not intensively farmed. D. foliosa is a distinct species that is expected in Ky. It occurs mostly in calcareous glades of Ala. and Tenn., but also in Ill. and Wis. (Isley 1998, K).