This was described by Catling et al. (1993), and more details were supplied by Naczi & Ford (2001). It is known only from w. Va. (W), ne. Ky., se. Ohio, s. Mich. and s. Ont., usually in dry open woods and glades on calcareous clays that are damp to seeping in spring. The small fragmented range of this species and timida (its possible ancestor) might be attributed to ancient associations with animal trails, wallows and licks. C. juniperorum differs from jamesii and timida (FNA 23) in its relatively short tallest culms per plant (ca. 3.2-9.1 cm versus 9-36 cm, ca. 15-35% of plant height versus 40-85%); its distal pistillate scales with less hyaline margin (0-0.3 mm wide versus 0.3-0.8 mm); and its usually shorter perigynium beaks (ca. 1.4-2.1 mm versus 2-5.5 mm). Leaves tend to be more coriaceous and evergreen.