Broadly defined, this perennial species is widely distributed across eastern and southern states, but generally uncommon except in the Ozark region and the Coastal Plain from e. Tex. to most of Fla. Further revision of puberula and its relatives is needed; 2n = 20 and 40 (FNA 23). Typical habitat in Ky. is xeric to xerohydric, clayey to gritty, calcareous glades, whereas typical plants further south occur on more hydric sites in pine savannas and similar places (W). There has also been some confusion with F. caroliniana (Fam.) Fern., a more southern species of coastal marshes.