This southern Appalachian taxon has unusually narrow leaves and deeper blue flowers (F). It has generally been combined with saponaria (Pringle 1967), but may deserve some distinction (W). E.L. Braun wrote "cherokeensis" in her catalog at US for coll. #4885 from MCRE (near Yamacraw at Big South Fk.), but that coll. cannot now be found at GH or US.