This diploid (2n = 30) is widespread across southeastern states on submesic sites with acid soils, especially at woodland edges. A coll. from BELL (T.H. Kearney #385 at US; formerly at KY) was initially misidentified as E. contortus Ell. (see also: Anderson 1924), which remains unknown in the state. Generic assignment of the four species here treated in Erianthus has been controversial; they may become included in Miscanthidium Stapf. (W).