This widespread eastern species is most common in partial shade on damp to seasonally dry base-rich soils, especially along streamsides and on compacted ground along woodland trails. Hybrids among North America species of Leersia are unknown, but all share 2n = 48. Variation within virginica deserves further study. Several Ky. colls. are referable to var. ovata (Poir.) Fern., especially from western regions (CALL, CARL, FULT, HARD, HICK, LYON). That variety is distinguished by its more robust habit and bristly-cilitate lemma keels, suggesting a transition to oryzoides. It is not recognized in most recent treatments (FNA 24, W), but Ladd & Thomas (2015) indicated that it is distinct: "apparently restricted to wet depressions in high quality woodlands in southeast Missouri."