In Ky. this southeastern shrub is known only from seeeping toe-slopes in transitions to the floodplain of the Blood Rv. in CALL. It flowers here in mid-April. There has been some confusion with prinophyllum, and the northern extent of canescens may remain somewhat uncertain (K, W). In addition to its relatively short corolla lobes (compared to tubes) and often shorter pedicels, canescens differs in its generally non-glandular condition and its less conspicuously ciliate leaves (Cr, FNA 8, W). In contrast to periclymenoides, both canescens and prinophyllum have relatively elongated capsules, are sparsely to densely hairy in general (versus glabrous to sparsely), and can become relatively large, with usually non-colonial stems up to 4-5 m tall; hybrids are known (FNA 8). R, canescens and R. periclymenoides have corollas "deep pink to white with pink tube"; prinophyllum is "usually bright pink" (FNA 8). R, canescens of w. Ky. and w. Tenn. appears to be mostly white (iNaturalist.org).