This midwestern species is usually distinct in its entire to subentire leaves, and phyllaries with relatively short green blazes (L/W ca. 1-1.5). But there is significant variation in pubescence and other characters; 2n = 16 (mostly) and 32. In Ky. occasional plants suggest hybridization with urophyllum (BRAC at NKU), cordifolium, undulatum and oolentangiense; see notes under the latter name. The species is locally common to abundant on calcareous slopes, but it is rare to absent on less rugged calcareous uplands. Nevertheless, shortii is easily established and it spreads by seed in urban gardens of Lexington (FAYE) and elsewhere. It is probably much browsed by mammalian herbivores, including rabbits (JC pers. obs.; C. Sither, pers. comm.), which may explain its general absence from agricultural landscapes.