This is a widespread southeastern taxon, but concentrated in damp acid grassy habitats that are much declined. In Ky. some plants from BULL appear transitional to fimbriatula (see notes under that name), which, like emarginata, has been considered a variety or subspecies of sagittata. There also appears be local introgression with hirsutula, palmata, affinis and other species. However, H. Ballard (in prep.) has indicated significangt variation within the species: "The glabrous sagittate extreme bearing summer leaf blades with 2-3 linear-falcate basal lobes on each side appears to be more common in wetter microsites especially near the s. Great Lakes shores and Atlantic and Gulf Coast, whereas densely hirtellous plants with less divided blades are common in drier microsites."