Several colls. from Ky. have been determined as this largely midwestern species, especially by R. Athey on the Coastal Plain, where it seems to be native in dry or seasonally damp grasslands. There are scattered reports of bushii from across eastern states, but it may be somewhat adventive and there has been confusion with other species. Different authors have emphasized different diagnostic characters for bushii (F, Cr, FNA 23; T.W. Smith, pers. comm.); also 2n = 64 according to FNA 23, but there is an earlier record of 48 (Wahl 1940). Typical bushii can be distinguished from caroliniana and hirsutella primarily by its relatively long, strongly cuspidate scales (3-5.2 mm long versus 1.5-3 mm). Perigynia are typically more papillose and pubescent, more strongly nerved, less compressed in cross-section, relatively large and few per spike (FNA 23). And compared to caroliniana, bushii is usually more hairy on leaves, especially the sheaths.