This is widely scattered in the central Mississippi Valley and Ohio Rv. watersheds, but largely restricted to wooded ravines on calcareous soils. It appears closely related to plantaginea but differs as follows (FNA 23): bracts from middle and proximal portions of culms with blades 2.1-9.2 cm (versus 0-2 cm); perigynia 5-6.6 mm (versus 3.7-4.9 mm); longest lateral spike with 4-9 perigynia (versus 9-13); 2n = 68 (versus 50 or 52).