This midwestern variety appears to be generally distinct from typical plants, which are concentrated on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain; the three described varieties may have somewhat disjunct ranges (Pennell 1935; F, K, W). In Ky. var. speciosa is locally frequent in western swamps and seeps on medium acid soils. However, some colls. from GRAV (WKY) and HICK (MUR) may be at least transitional to var. obliqua. Var. speciosa is distinguished from vars. obliqua and erwinieae as follows (W): staminodes mostly 4-8 mm long (versus 8-12 mm); calyx lobes densely ciliate (versus glabrous or sparsely ciliate).