Mapping here is provisional. This species occurs mostly on seasonally dry infertile soils in thin woodlands, fields and glades from the Ozarks to Appalachians to mid-Atlantic and northeastern states (K, W). It is often misidentified as tenuis, interior or other species, and further study of colls. from Ky. is needed. Distinctive features of secundus, compared to others of the tenuis group in Ky., are as follows (F, Cr, FNA 22, Y): capsules subglobose, 3-locular or nearly so (versus 1-locular to "pseudo-3-locular") usually more united); perianth mostly 3-4 mm long (versus 3-6 mm); inflorescence with flowers secund along incurving branches (versus not so), often longer than primary bract (versus usually shorter or inconsistent); leaves mostly < 1/3 height of plant (versus 1/3 to 1/2). Distinction from the widespread western species, interior, can be especially problematic, and descriptions in some manuals are inconsistent; compare F with FNA 22. Other than the obscure difference in capsules, the more overt contrasts in secundus (versus interior) may be as follows: leaf blades usually longer ca. 10-30 cm long (versus 5-15 cm); inflorescence usually overtopping the longer involucral leaf (versus often overtopped), with "branches mostly incurved-ascending with flowers chiefly along the inner side" (versus not so); see illustrations in F. J. brachyphyllus Wieg. (= J. kansanus F.J. Herm.) is a mid-western relative of secundus with larger perianth and less secund branches that has been reported from w. Ky. (J) and w. Tenn. (Ch, K, W), but verification is needed. Its nearest well-known populations are in sw. Mo and nw. Ark. (FNA 22).