This occurs in east-central states, mostly in a zone from mid-Atlantic states to the Ozarkian region (K). In Ky. it often appears weakly differentiated from atrovirens, but tends to occur on more acid or less eutrophic sites. Treatments range from complete combination (Cr), to varieties (F, BT; Arnold & Beal 1980), to separate species (FNA 23, W, Y). S. georgianus is diagnosed by usually having 0-3 bristles around each achene (versus 5-6); the bristles are usually short or rarely up to 70% as long as the achene (versus short to slightly exceeding), smooth or barbed only near tips (versus barbed in distal 30-60%). Vegetative characters are less clearcut, but georgianus usually has deep green to brownish lower sheaths and leaves (versus pale green to light brown), and the sheaths usually have relatively few clear septae (versus becoming conspicuously nodulose-septate when dried). S. georgianus tends to be less robust, with narrower leaves and smaller clusters of spikelets, on average; 2n = 48-54 (versus 50-62).