This variable species occurs in Ala., Ga., Tenn. and Ky.; 2n = 22, as in uniflora and other congeners. Var. laciniata is a globally imperiled winter-annual is known only from Ky., in BULL and JEFF; there are also unverified reports from NELS and SPEN (NP website). Var. exigua occurs in c. Tenn. and nw. Ga., while var. lutea Rollins occurs in c. Tenn. and n. Ala. The degree of distinction in var. laciniata, and its history of disjunction, deserve further investigation; styles are longer and sepals are greener (W). Microsatellite DNA indicates genetic uniformity, probably due to apomixis (Edwards et al. 2022). It occurs on exposures of Silurian dolomites that were part of a cluster of grasslands, licks and trails used by bison before Virginian settlement. Based on observations within recent decades, this plant remains most prolific in areas that have been recently grazed, trampled, mowed or driven-over. Yet fire and woody clearance are the only management tools currently prescribed by major conservation organizations for these plants. The frequent institutional bias against even experimental use of livestock to restore appropriate naturalistic habitats in east-central states is a serious issue. The USFWS (2013) makes the following nebulous statements for var. laciniata: "Grazing or haying of the pasture may help maintain the glade habitat, if it persists, by stunting the growth or invasion of woody species and maintaining the open herbaceous nature of the habitat. However, grazing or haying may have negative impacts on L. exigua var. laciniata occurrences, if it occurs prior to seed set. Disturbance to the plants could cause mortality, and compaction of the soil from overgrazing could cause erosion or change soil moisture (USFWS 2009, p. 2). High-intensity grazing can also have negative impacts on both plants and the glade habitat by increasing soil compaction and erosion rates or excessive trampling (USFWS 2009, p. 2). Removing cattle from a habitat where grazing activities have helped to maintain the open habitat may result in an increase in forage grasses that may outcompete L. exigua var. laciniata and alter suitable habitat. We are not aware of any studies that have looked at the timing and intensity of agricultural activities and their effects on L. exigua var. laciniata. However, changes in grazing activities (both more and less) are considered threats to at least two known occurrences (KSNPC 2012, pp. 1-108)." The more southern variant of this species, var. lutea Rollins, is even known locally as "pasture gladecress", and some of best populations in Ala. are associated with intense cattle grazing (Frings et al. 2019). However, NatureServe (at natureserve.org in May 2020) has made the following statement for this taxon: "Areas with cattle may need exclosures or some other type of exclusion device to prevent cattle trampling."