This is known only from the Ouachita Mountains of Ark. and Okl., plus a few disjunct locations in Tenn. (Clay Co.) and Ky (FNA 20, K). The only Ky. record is a coll. from CLIN in 'dry-mesic woodlands' (Naczi et al. 2002). It is a relatively robust plant, with long thick rhizomes and exserted terminal spikes.