This occurs mostly in the southern Blue Ridge (W); more western records (K) are dubious. There are dubious reports from JESS by McFarland (1941); and from, LEWI (EKY) and ROCK (check MICH) by Wharton (1945). Plants that resemble clingmanii do occur in s. Ind. and s. Ill., but these may be transitional to nuttalii or even hispida (D, Nelson 1981, Cr). See notes under hispida. Following J. Nelson et al. in W, clingmanii (sensu stricto) is distinguisded from cordata and nuttallii as follows: calyx lobes aristate with linear tip 1-2 mm long (versus acute or with tip < 1 mm).