This widespread eastern species is highly variable, especially in leaf width, even within plants, the upper ones typically much more elongated than lower. Compared to ciliata (sensu lato), typical broad-leaved lanceolata has narrower leaves (ca. 0.5-2 cm versus 2-6 cm), with long-tapering cuneate base (versus cuneate to rounded), and sepals lack reddish-brown veins (versus usually 3-6). Variation may be associated with differences in range and habitat. In Ky. lanceolata occurs mostly in openings on damp soils that dry out in summer and fall, ranging from rocky riverbanks to seeps, swales, ditches and damp roadsides or paths on uplands. It is curiously rare or absent from the Bluegrass region to central Tenn. (K). The name L. heterophylla Michx. may apply to some potentially segretated plants on seasonally xeric sandy soils in southeastern states (especially in or near the Southern Appalachians). This taxon has generally narrower mid-cauline leaves (mostly 2-6 mm versus 6-18 mm), smaller flowers and perhaps other differences from the more broad-leaved form of lanceolata that is centered in the central to lower Mississippi Valley (Sm; Estes et a, pers. comm.). In Ky., heterophylla may include colls. from rocky banks of the Cumberland Rv. and its major tributaries in PULA, ROCK, MCRE and WHIT. But some other narrow-leaved plants can appear transitional to hybrida and may also be confused with quadriflora; see notes under those names. Moreover, there may be some hybridization with ciliata in southeastern states, as det. by J. Coffey and others at MO, NCU and elsewhere. Plants known as S. gramineum Greene, with leaves only 1-2 mm wide, are considered endemic to ne Ala., but they need further evaluation in relation to the overall variation within this complex.