This widespread eastern species is highly variable, and it appears to intergrade with some related species, but there is no definitive evidence of wild hybrids (Duncan 1967, Moore 1991). See notes under var. bicolor. The species is usually distinguished from other eastern species just by the glaucousness of its lower leaf surfaces and often nodes as well (W). Close inspection reveals a fine granular waxy texture (recalling Fraxinus americana), that is often whitish; see notes under var. bicolor. However, this character is sometimes obscured by pubescence. V. aestivalis appears close to cinerea, but in addition to generally distinct glaucousness there are other differences (Y): stems are terete and glabrate (versus angled and permanently hairy); leaves on flowering branches are usually suborbicular in outline and more or less deeply lobed (versus ovate with prolonged triangular apex and two short shoulders); fruits are larger, 7-15 mm across (versus 4-8 mm) and usually glaucous (versus not glaucous or just slightly); seeds are longer, 3-7 mm (versus 2-4 mm). V. aestivales is reported to have a dioecious tendency, as is suspected in other species of the genus (Kevan et al. 2015).