If defined to include V. glandifera Pennell, this circumboreal subaquatic perennial (flowering mostly May-Jun in Ky.) is widespread in base-rich wetlands across cool temperate regions of North America. Although some authors consider it native in eastern states, plants of probable European origin may now be more widespread across North America (F, Cr). The first definite records of these plants in Ky. were ca. 1910-1950 (M). Earlier, Rafinesque (1836, 4:37) described connata from "West Kentucky near waters"; his plant may have belonged with glandifera, but no type coll. is known. Pennell (1935) considered anagallis-aquatica an alien and glandifera a distinct native species, with glandular hairs in inflorescences (versus glabrous or nearly so), more acuminate sepals, shorter styles, leaves widest near the base (versus about the middle) and more serrated. He mapped glandifera from central Atlantic states to the Ohio Valley. Some colls. from Ky. do fit his description of glandifera, but a thorough revision is still needed. Authors since Pennell have generally combined glandifera with anagallis-aquatica (F, Cr) or catenata (W). See also notes under catenata and americana; 2n = 36 in all of these taxa.