This is generally considered to be a monotypic species, but with distinct segregates; 2n = 16 and 32 (FNA 21). Var. brevistolon is a southern Appalachian taxon was recently described by Nesom (2001a). It has moderately long stolons, ca. 2-6 cm; early flowering stems are leafless, ca. 2-25 cm tall; later ones are leafy, ca. 15-25 cm tall. Var. virginianum is essentially non-stoloniferous, with later leafy flowering stems often taller, and more eastern. The latter was mapped close to Ky. by Nesom, and within Ky. by FNA 21 but no colls. are documented. The highly distinct var. australe (Alexander ex Small) Ahles is strongly stoloniferous and has short leafless flowering stems; it has a more southeastern, disjunct range.