Mapping of this northeastern species here is somewhat tentative since further revision of colls. is desirable; see notes under the frequently confused carolinianus. However, plants from rocky river banks of se. Ky, in particular, clearly key to caricetorum using recent treatments (e.g. FNA 3). R. caricetorum is a tetraploid that appears somewhat intermediate between the diploids, carolinianus (which is similar in decumbent habit) and hispidus (which has relatively small achenes). It may be distinguished from both by its lower leaves "all ternately compound, with petiolulate 2-3-cleft and incised ovate to rhombic large leaflets... and stipules conspicuous, rounded at summit" (F). In the other two species, lower leaves, especially the basal ones, are usually much smaller than upper leaves, merely dentate to 3-cleft, and stipules tend to be less conspicuous.