This low clonal shrub is locally abundant on the Cumberland Plateau of Ky. and Tenn., with hundreds of sites. Elsewhere, it is known in the central Appalachians from Pa., W.Va. (SC) and Va., the Piedmont of N.C., and the Coastal Plain of Md. & Del., with a total of only 100-200 sites (State Natural Heritage Systems). The species should perhaps be treated in a new monotypic genus; the name Buxella was used by Sm but it is an invalid homonym (FNA 8, W). G. brachycera can increase through clonal sprouting after occasional fires (Edgar & Griscom 2017), but it is likely that freequent burning (or other ground disturbance) would reduce.it. Reproduction from seed is poorly documented and appears to be rare, but it might be associated with disturbance (Nicholson 2011),