This is a fairly widespread species of calcareous soils in east-central states. It has generally been combined with the Appalachian Gonolobus shortii (Gray) Gray, but further study is needed. G. shortii has been recorded from JESS (Gm), LEWI (MDKY). ROWA (B) and elsewhere. There are rather few good colls. of Matelea (or Gonolobus) from Ky., and they have often been damaged by insects in our herbaria. Compared to typical obliqua, shortii has been distinguished (F) due to its longer (13-15 mm versus 6-12 mm), broader (2-2.5 mm versus 1.5-2) corolla lobes, which are dark "chocolate-purple" (versus greenish-fuscous outside, purple inside); also, the corona is reportedly thinner (Gray 1889). G. shortii suggests a transition to decipiens, and these two names have often been confused in their application. Distinction of taxa in Matelea based on leaves and fruits remains difficult or impossible; hence, a few records based on poor or incomplete colls. remain uncertain (mapped with open dots)..