This is widely scattered across east-central states (K), from mid-western plains to the Blue Ridge (K, W). It is generally restricted to partial shade or edges in mesic to submesic woods on fertile soils. Its absence from most of the Bluegrass region, Shawnee Hills and Nashville Basin (Ch, K) suggests excessive past influences of browsing or burning in those regions. See FNA 20 for notes on nomenclature.