This is a tetraploid (2n = 48) member of the corymbosum complex occurs at moderate to high elevation in the southern Appalachian regions. Distinction is often difficult (W) and there has been much confusion in Ky. (M). Compared to typical corymbosum, simulatum is reported to have narrower leaves, widest below the middle (versus at or above), acuminate (versus acute to short-acuminate), and serrulate (versus entire); berries are purple-black when fresh (versus blue with glaucous bloom). In Ky. colls. from BELL (GH), HARL (GH, NY), LETC (US) and elsewhere (Wharton 1945; B, M) have been identified as simulatum, but these do not appear clearly distinct based on initial examination. V. similatum has also been determined from several sites in s. Ohio (K, PL).