This is a distinct globally imperiled taxon known only from calcareous outcrops and rocky woods of various types in disjunct localities of nw. Ala. and c. Tenn. MM collected it in CHRI (for WKY): "prairie-like area between US 41 and railroad near Kelly, 28 Aug 1980" (Medley et al. 1983). The coll. was mislaid for 40 years but finally processed and confirmed by M. Brock at APSC in 2022. MM and MB have been unable to relocate plants anywhere between Crofton and Hopkinsville; this whole right-of-way deserves more intensive searching. Recognition as a species, distinct from the more southern E. longifolium Nutt., is supported by recent investigation (A. Floden, pers. comm.).