This is widely scattered from southeastern to midwestern states, but generally restricted to seasnally damp soils in remnants of native grassland on moderrately infertile soils. Hybrids with several species can be expected (FNA 21, Y); spicata has peak flowering usually in Aug-Sep, after squarrosa and before the aspera group. Some colls. from MCRA and ROWA appear to be hybrids with aspera; see notes under that species. Hybrids with squarrosa have been rarely found in Tenn. (TENN) and Miss. (MISS), but are unknown in Ky.