This globally imperiled taxon may deserve species status, but it is similar to some northern populations of pilosa, including those named ssp. fulgida by Wherry. Typical deamii appears to be a stabilized hybrid between pilosa and amoena that has evolved some local adaptation rather than just intermediate characters (Fehlberg et al. 2014; Goulet-Scott et al. 2021, 2023). It has been reported only from sw. Ind. (Perry & Spencer Cos.), w. Ky. (5-11 counties) and perhaps nw. Tenn. (Benton Co.), where only less stabilized hybrid swarms appear to occur. Only about 2-3 extant populations have been verified since 2000 wiithin each of these three states (Zale 2014; and pers. obs.). In Ky., CHRI and HOPK are the only counties with fairly stable populations, but only 10-100 plants occur at best sites. Ssp. deamii occurs mostly on medium acid soils derived from loess, cherty limestone or clayey alluvium (Levin 1966, Cr). Wherry (1955) included it within P. pilosa var. pulcherrima Lundell, which is known mostly from further south in oak/pine woods of the lower Mississippi Valley. However, deamii may be derived from hybridization of pilosa and amoena, then back-crossed into pilosa. Ssp. deamii is similar to pilosa but approaches amoena in its strictly eglandular pubescence, in its more compact cymes (pedicels up to 3-7 mm), and in its shorter or less elongated leaves (with L/W ca. 7-10). The Ky. records are located between the western population of pilosa (which may be at least partly var. pulcherrima) and the population of amoena in south-central counties. The uncertain record from CALL (EKY) is based on a plant that may have resulted from hybridization between divaricata and amoena or pilosa. Nearby to the south, in Benton Co., Tenn., Zale (2014) has documented a large hybrid swarm of pilosa and amoena, including plants that are deamii-like but somewhat distinct from typical deamii further north.