This appears to be widespread in states to the south and east of Ky. (GH, NY), especially on lowlands but perhaps mostly on xerohydric sites. Further work is need to clarify the degree of distinction from typical fulgida. For Ky. there are only a few tentative records of var. spathulata, from MCRE (TENN) and WHIT (BRIT, NY); the report by Kearney (1893) was based on a coll. from BELL (MO) that is referable to umbrosa or chapmannii. Var. spathulata may be distinguished primarily by its leaves, which are relatively narrow or spathulate (with "conspicuously dilated blade"); also, its flowering heads are generally smaller (Sm, F, Campbell & Seymour 2013).