This is widespread in temperate regions of North American, except in some southeastern states. It is sometimes confused with frondosa, but these taxa are consistently distinct (FNA 21). B. vulgata is a generally more robust plant with leaves usually pinnatisect or 3-5-foliate (versus 3-foliate), and calyculus [outer series] bractlets 10-21 (versus 5-10). It may flower, on average, about a week earlier than frondosa (FNA 21; and Ky. data): mostly in early to late Sep versus mid-Sep to early Oct. It tends to occur in deeper or more extensive wetlands, and in Ky. at least it is generally absent from more calcareous regions.