S. lacera is widespread in somewhat dry grasslands of eastern North America. It is generally distinguished by having relatively small flowers (ca. 5 mm long) that are completely white except for the center of the lip. The spike of var. lacera is less spiraled, more pubescent, and produced while leaves are still evident; see also F. Var. lacera has a more northern range but overlaps greatly with var. gracilis and may intergrade (Cr, FNA 26); some authors do not consider these taxa distinct (Y). In Ky. var. lacera appears to be much less frequent than var. gracilis, and largely restricted to Appalachian regions. However, further checking of colls. is needed. Also, the reported earlier flowering of var. lacera deserves assessment in the state (mostly Jul-Aug versus Aug-Sep).