This is a widespread variable species in central and eastern North America; 2n = 20, 40, 80 (FNA 25). In Ky. it is locally common in remnants of native grassland, but has also spread locally into old fields and rights-of-way. It has become widely sown for wildlife and revegetation in recent decades; such plantings are excluded here, but will become more difficult to distinguish from native plants in the future. Sorghastrum is generally not native in the Bluegrass region, except for scattered plants along low rocky banks of the Kentucky Rv. and in some transitions to surrounding hills and valleys. In general, it can be distinguished from other common tall warm-season grasses by its prominent thick 2-6 mm ligules, plus pointed auricles.