This is a southern Appalachian species, native to Ala, Ga, S.Car., N,Car, Ky. and Va. (Isely & Peabody 1984, Isely 1990; W, SERNEC). It has been confused with hispida and fertilis, which have been combined as varieties of R. hispida by most authors (W). R. boyntonii is reportedly a triploid (2n = 30) that differs from those taxa in its general lack of stiff hispid hairs (versus conspicuously so); further investigation is needed, especially with cultivated material, to determine if distinct species status is warranted. In Ky. it is known only from thin woods (cut or burned or at mowed edges) near sandstone outcrops on Cumberland Mountain (BELL), Pine Mountain (BELL, HARL, LETC) and the southern Cliff Section (MCRE, WHIT). Although widely scattered across its range, it is rarely abundant, exept perhaps after cutting or burning. R. boyntonii rarely flowers in the wild; fruits are virtually unknown anywhere in its range (Isely & Peabody 1984), except for a coll. of M. Medley (for WKY). A large living clone has been established at the Univ. of Ky. Arboretum, originating from the knob just east of Cumberland Falls State Park in WHIT. There is no question that this species is native to se. Ky., since it is known from 10-20 sites in the wild, mostly in open woods or edges on remote ridges, with no evidence of nearby cultivation. T. Littlefield (pers. comm,) has recently discovered plants on Pine Mt. that resemble the diploid R. nana Elliott, which is closely related to boyntonii but smaller in overall size and usually with spines at nodes (W); further investigation is needed.