This is widely scattered across central North America, but rare to absent in Appalachian and Atlantic regions. It is largely restricted to remnants of native grassland, usually on more base-rich soils than squarrulosa. L. aspera is variable and can hybridize with several other species, with six named in FNA 21; see also notes under X spheroidea. Most plants in Ky. are relatively glabrous, and have been named var. intermedia (Lunell) Gaiser, especially in older treatments. Hairy plants (var. aspera) have a more western range in North America, but there is often too much overlap and intergradation for clear distinction (FNA 21). There has been confusion with squarrulosa; both species have peak flowering usually in Sep (-Oct). Local introgression has been suspected in Ky. (especially in more western regions) and in Mo. (Y), but this was not reported in FNA 21. The only consistent observable difference between these two species is that middle phyllaries of aspera are glabrous, the margins bullate, hyaline and erose to irregularly lacerate, often purplish (see also: Cr). The middle phyllaries of squarrulosa are glabrous to hirtellous, with margins usually firm to somewhat coriaceous, and green to whitish. L. aspera tends to be taller (often up to 1.5 m versus usually 0.5-1 m), with relatively dense, curved-ascending mid-stem leaves. In Ky., aspera is largely glabrous, but squarrulosa is usually somewhat puberulent on leaves.(both surfaces) and stems (distally),