This is close to echinata, with a broad southeastern range (FNA 22). It may be typical of more open habitats, in general (F, W). It has distinctive basal "bulblets" within small dense tufts of whitish, swollen leaf bases; however echinata can also be somewhat swollen at bases. Inflorescence branches are mostly ascending (versus divergent up to 90 degrees); spikes are ovoid to cylindric (versus subglobose to broadly ovoid or conic); perianths are generally shorter (ca. 2-3 mm versus 2.8-4 mm), with more distinct shining chestnut-brown centers (versus greenish to pale or dark brown); anther lengths are only 1-2x filament lengths (versus at least 2x); seeds tend to be shorter (0.9-1.3 mm versus 1.2-1.6 mm) and ellipsoid (versus globose). In Ky. flowering stems are generally (0.5) 1-2 (2.5) dm tall while those of echinata are generally (1) 1.5-3 (4) dm tall.