This northeastern species was reported from Ky. by Rafinesque (1836a, Part 2, p. 38-39), as a taxon of his new genus Thecanisia, now included within Filipendula. He stated: "295. THECANISIA PONPUREA Raf. stem striate, leaves smooth, pinnate palmate triparted, medial lobe large petiolate 3-5 1obed, lobes oblong acute, laciniate dentate, stipules oblong serrate, panicle lax naked--in Tennessee and West Kentucky, 2 or 3 feet high, flowers purple, probably blended with the last [T. lobata in hills from Carolina to Alabama], chiefly distinct by lobes and panicle." Other authors have reported F. rubra from Ky. (F, Cr), but no coll. has been definitely attributed to the state (M). There are colls. by C.W. Short, but mostly stated to be from Ohio (CM, USCH, NY); none are labelled by him as from Ky., and he did not include this species in his floristic lists for the state (Short et al. 1833-40). The species does occur in s. Ohio, w. Va. and w. N.C. Before settlement, there may have been suitable habitat in the northern Bluegrass region of Ky., and possible in "barrens" further west.