This widespread southeastern species of swampy woods and edges was described in 1855, but largely ignored for 150 years. It was first recorded from Ky. in FNA 23, and a coll. from FULT (MM for WKY) has been det. by R.L. Naczi; there are also verified colls. from CALL (BEREA) and HICK (GA). There may also be recent colls. from MCLE (by J. Lempke at Univ. of Ky. Arboretum, verified by JC), and from WEBS (M. Hines at NP). Colls. named frankii from western regions should be rechecked for aureolensis, which differs as follows (FNA 23, W): pistillate scales 0.4-1.1 mm wide (versus 0.1-0.4 mm), the body wide, translucent (versus narrow, indistinct); staminate scales 0.9-1.6 mm wide (versus 0.3-0.8 mm), tightly imbricate in the spike (versus irregularly imbricate with spreading tips); plants colonial, long-rhizomatous (versus cespitose, short-rhizomatous).