This tall herb occurs mostly in east-central states, ususally in thin woods and edges on moist fertile soils. The closely related northern species, S. lanceolata Pursh, has been reported from CARR (Miller 1986; BA) and occurs within 50-100 miles of Ky. in s. Ind. and w. Va. (K), but no coll. from Ky. has been located. M saw no coll. and stated: "Miller No. ? (DHL) Carroll Co. not yet accessioned... should be verified." Also, a coll. of marilandica from OWEN (KNK) by J. Thieret (13 Sep 2003) has been misidentified as lanceolata (SERNEC Mar 2020). In lanceolata, the sterile filament is yellowish-green (versus dark purple or brownish) and relatively broad; flowering is earlier, and capsules tend to be larger; leaves are more coarsely serrate, and 2n = 92-96 versus ca. 86 (Pennell 1935; Cr, W).