This globally rare species occurs only in scattered localities from the southern Ridge-and-Valley to the Shawnee Hills (K, NS). It is considered threatened or endangered in all states except Tenn. (Ala., Va., Ky., Ill., Ind.). C. rubifolia is restricted to deep, mesic woods on base-rich soils. There has been some confusion with forms of racemosa that have larger subcordate terminal leaflets. C. rubifolia differs as follows (W): terminal leaflet deeply cordate (versus cuneate to subcordate), mostly 12-20 cm wide (versus 8-12 cm), with 7-9 major veins arising palmately from the base (versus 3); principal leaves with 3-17 leaflets (versus 15-70);