This southeastern species is uncommon to rare in the Ohio Valley, and restricted to infertile acid soils. It is close to brachycarpus and easily overlooked without mature capusules, which equal or exceed the perianth (versus half to 2/3 as long), with a prominent beak of valves that do not separate at dehiscence (versus abruptly mucronate, the valves separating). Both species produce short stout rhizomes.