This is widespread across southeastern states, but most common in the central and lower Mississippi Valley and rare in south Atlantic states (K, W). It usually grows on damp medium-acid soils; see notes under scirpoides. J. brachycarpus differs from torreyi as follows FNA 22, W): capsules 1.8-2.7 mm long (versus 4.3-5.7 mm), clearly included within the tepals at maturity (versus equalling or slightly exceeding); heads 8-10 mm wide (versus 10-15 mm); outer tepals 2.53.8 mm long (versus 3.7-6 mm); inner tepals 2-3.2 mm long (versus 3-4.6 mm); leaves 1-2 mm wide (versus 1-5 mm), green to stramineous (versus green to pink or reddish) ; culms 2-3 mm wide versus 3-5 mm); rhizomes tuberous, 3-4 mm wide (versus 1-3 mm wide, with swolen nodes); 2n = 44 (versus 40).