This southeastern species (2n = 36, 40) has often been confused with laxiflora or styloflexa. It is close to laxiflora, but tends to have larger achenes (2.2-4.6 mm long versus 1.8-3.4 mm), larger perigynia (3.4-5.1 mm long versus 2.6-4.1 mm) and longer staminate spikes (22-36 mm versus 12-34 mm); also, leaves are usually glaucous in Ky. (versus plain green), and tend to be narrower (3-14 mm versus 5-26 mm). C. striatula is relatively frequent in Appalachian regions of Ky., and it probably also occurs further west in Ky. and s. Ind. (F). However, some western colls. may be atypical (e.g., appearing transitional to laxiflora), or need further verification (especially colls. with immature perigynia).