Although verification is needed, there is one possible coll. of this southeastern taxon from CALL (MUR; see also BA): M. Woods #91, 8 Jun 1981, "21 mi E of Murray on Hwy. 1918 adj. to Happy Chandler Park, dry upland wooded areas along roadside". This variable species has been poorly understood in much of its range. Sm considered that carolina "represents an intermediate between [ovata, glaberrima and maculata], and grades into them in some colonies." It appears closest to glaberrima (broadly defined), but reportedly differs as follows (W): "calyx subcylindric (versus subcampanulate), the sepals fairly broad, with a rather weak midrib, the junction membranes thin, narrow, narrow, becoming markedly plicate keeled." Also, it generally resembles triflora in having broader leaves and slightly larger calices than glaberrima (at least var. interior). Most forms of carolina are distinctly shorter than glaberrima, and some have purple-streaked stems like maculata; see notes under maculata. Ssp. carolina is reportedly centered around the southern Piedmont and southern Appalachians, while ssp. angusta ranges more widely across the southeast (see notes under that name). Wherry (1955) mapped ssp. carolina in w. Tenn. and se. Mo., close to w. Ky.