This small shrub is widespread in eastern states but generally absent on base-rich soils. In the Bluegrass region, the few records are from old high riverine or glacial terraces. Lower leaf surfaces in the species are hairy or smooth (as in "neglectum"), but that character is probably not taxonomically relevant (FNA 8, W). Some plants in Ky. have matched var. neglectum (Small) Deam or other varieties, as defined in previous treatments (e.g. F), but these are combined here pending further revision. The widespread group of plants in east-central states with whitish-glaucous lower leaf surfaces and somewhat rugulose, pale bluish green upper surfaces (which would include most or all Ky. material), should probably be placed in a new largely Appalachian variety, including Polycodium candicans Small; see notes of W. Plants with greenish lower leaf surfaces and perhaps larger average stamen size (5-8 mm long versus 4-6 mm) would be treated as the more widespread southeastern var. stamineum by W (including var. neglectum). However, no clear differences in range or habitat have emerged between these two variants across Ky. Reports of var. melanocarpum Mohr (M, SERNEC) have not been verified and remain dubious; that taxon may be included within the more southern var. sericeum (Mohr) D.B. Ward. No variants within V. stamineum were recognized by FNA 8.