This southeastern species is widely scattered but rare in Ky., and seems restricted to better remnants of native grassland on relatively dry, infertile soils (sometimes perched on cherty substrates above limestone outcrops). Before B rediscovered it in the 1930s, capillaris was known only from colls. of C.W. Short: (1) in 1835 from the "barrens" (at KY before lost in the 1948 fire; see Anderson 1924); (2) in 1840 from "Louisville" (KY). See also notes under expansa.