This is another widespread eastern species, with similar range and habitat to linearifolium but more restricted to non-calcareous soils (yet uncommon to rare on southeastern Coastal Plain). Although these two species are generally treated as distinct, recent analysis of DNA has indicated that unresolved complexities exist among them and their close relatives (Majure et al. 2023). Included here are relatively glabrous plants that have been named var. psilophyllum Fern. (within Panicum), These are relatively frequent in more northern regions, but within Ky. they do not appear to have significant difference in distribution. See also notes under linearifolium; there may be occasional intermediate plants (FNA 25). D. depauperatum is distinguished from linearifolium only as follows (FNA 25, W): spikelets mostly 2.8-3.8 mm long (versus 1.7-2.8 mm), the second glume and sterile lemma pointed or beaked and extended beyond the summit of the fertile lemma (versus blunt or broadly pointed, not extending beyond the summit); first glume 1.2-2 mm long (versus 0.7-1.2 mm). Vegetative differences are not evident; but see Ladd & Thomas (2015) for further notes.