This has often been confused with leptocephala, graminifolia or other species (Sieren 1981; Cr, FNA 20, W, Nesom 2021,b). See notes on identification under leptocephala. E. gymnospermoides occurs widely in the midwest from Ontario to Louisiana, including much of Ill., Ind. and n. Ohio (Nesom 2021a), However, more eastern records from the Ohio River watershed are erroneous, as are records from Atlantic coastal states (W). Records of BA from Ky. are largely based on misidentified colls. of leptocephala at MEM (M). However, possible colls. of gymnospermoides have recently been reported from GRAV (R. Athey #2101 at FSU; det. B. Sorrie) and perhaps MARS (M. Brock #752 at APSC); these are from thin woods and old fields on broad xerohydric terraces in the lower Clarks Rv. watershed, where there are several floristic indications of open history. The species is also reported from western and central Tenn. (W; Nesom 2021a)