This diploid (2n = 36) is widespread across northern states and adjacent Canada, in varied habitats. Within Ky. it is known only from three localities: (1) a cluster of sites in the eastern Knobs (CART, LEWI, POWE, ROWA); (2) an 1830s coll. of C.W. Short from "Corn Island" near the Falls of Ohio Rv. (JEFF); and (3) a 1970s coll. from swampy woods near the Green Rv. (MCLE). There has been some confusion with depauperate colls. of racemosa, which differs as follows F, (Y): leaves elliptic to ovate (versus lanceolate to oblong), the larger blades with L/W ca.3.5 (versus 4), the bases with 1-6 mm petiole (versus sessile and often somewhat clasping), the apices acuminate (versus tapering to point), not glaucous below (versus usually so); pedicels 0.5-1 mm (versus 4-6 mm), in panicles of usually 50-250 flowers (versus racemes of 6-15); perianth ca. 1.5-3 mm long (versus 4-6 mm); mature fruits red, sometimes with purple spots (versus green to blackish red or nearly black, sometimes black-striped.