This diploid (2n = 22) is endemic to the central and southern Appalachians, mostly at higher elevations. In Ky. the only verified records are from Black Mt. or nearby (HARL, LETC). For JACK, there is only a sight record of L. Pounds (pers. comm.) ca. 1980, from a "spring fed creek along War Fk near Turkey Foot Campground." The species is well-known as an edible salad (e.g. White 1975), and small populations have been established for this purpose in the Red River Gorge (POWE & WOLF; D. Dourson, pers. comm.)