This variable, high polyploid (2n = 16 x 8 to 32 x 8) occurs widely in eastern states, but it is rare to absent in much of the southeastern Coastal Plain. D. laciniata is less restricted to deeper woods, and usually flowers earlier than diphylla. It is highly tolerant of high deer populations (Franland & Nelson 2003). It differs from diphylla and heterophylla as folllows (W): trichomes of leaf margins erect and 0.2-0.3 mm long (versus appressed, ca. 0.1 mm); stem leaves 3 (versus usually 2), lateral leaflets of (trifoliate) stem leaves usually incised into 2 main lobes, giving somewhat 5-parted appearance (versus rarely so incised); basal leaves usually absent at flowering (versus present). In Ky. there appear to be rare hybrids with heterophylla (e.g. a coll. from MORG at KY), perhaps diphylla and other species.