This taxon (often treated as a subspecies) is about as widespread as var. rugosa, but more common to the south. it may be distinguished as follows (W): leaves relatively thick and firm, strongly rugose, usually subentire to bluntly serrate (versus sharpy serrate), the apices often only acute (versus acuminate), scabrous or stiffly-hairy on the surfaces (versus soft-hairy). Reports from the Ohio Valley of the strictly southern var. celtidifolia (Small) Fern. (which has lax panicles with reduced ovate leaves) appear to be based on atypical var. aspera (GH, M, W; FNA 20). The "Fireworks" cultivar of var. aspera, which has recently become popular in gardens across eastern states, was selected from the southeastern Coastal Plain via the North Carolina Botanical Garden.