This is widespread across eastern North America, except for most of the midwest (FNA 23, K). A few colls. from Ky. suggest intergradation with howei, seorsa or other species. Cr concluded that most members of the section Stellulatae are "more or less confluent" in eastern North America. A. Reznicek has insisted that they are identifiable but "it is best to examine the third or fourth perigynium above the staminate part of the spikes" (FNA 23).