This has a southern Appalachian range but apparently centered to the north of boyntonii. Further investigation is needed to separate its records from those of boyntonii and fertilis; most authors appear to have included many records of fertilis in their mapping of "hispida" across eastern states (Peabody 1984, Isely 1990; W, K). In its strict sense, hispida is reported to differ from fertilis as follows: plants triploid (2n = 30 versus 20), usually sterile (versus fruting abundantly); shrubs 0.5-1.5 m tall (versus 0.6-3 m); leaflets relatively narrow, mostly with L/W = 1.8-2.5 (versus 1.2-1.8). The commonly cultivated "rose acacia" may not be hispida sensu stricto, as stated by Isely (1990), but fertilis instead. Together, hispida plus fertilis are distinguished from boynotii only as follows: twigs and leafstalks conspicuously hispid with hairs 1-5 mm long, these stiff, thick-based, and typically persistent several years (versus without persistent hairs, often appearing glabrous). In Ky. typical hispida is verified only from low open rocky slopes near the Breaks of the Sandy Rv. (Russell Fork) in PIKE (KY). It is also known nearby from Dickenson Co., Va. (B).