This is a widespread northeastern species of mesic woods on fertile soils. Within Ky. grandiflorum occurs mostly in Appalachian region or adjacent hills. Some outlying records may be doubted, including the colls. from FAYE (KY) and NICH (EKY), which could be mislabeled or from cultivation. There are also sight records of B from EDMO and TODD, where this species might be expected in cool ravines cut into the sandstone. As well as climatic and edaphic factors restricted this species in Ky, there are probably significant effects of grazing by livestock and deer (Anderson 1994).