This is typical of thin swampy woods, often in transitions to buttonbush ponds (Cephalanthus). It occurs largely in the central and upper Mississippi Valley, the Ohio Valley and the southern Great Lakes region (F, Cr). Typical virginica is more southern, largely on the Coastal Plain and unknown in Ky., with virtually no overlap in range. Although treated as a variety of virginica in most manuals (or combined in FNA 26), shrevei has consistently larger capsules (7-11 cm long versus 4-7 cm), darker flowers, taller, more branched and persistent habit (remaining upright after flowering). Chromosome numbers need to be checked; reportedly 2n = 70-72 in virginica, but sensu lato with variety unknown.