This widespread variable eastern diploid species is locally common on fertile floodplains and calcareous uplands, but it is much less common in most Appalachian regions (see also HFG). There is a loose association with Quercus macrocarpa and other species of browsed eutrophic woodlands. Fruits of mollis are relatively large, usually 8-14 mm wide or occasionally up to 20-24 mm (especially in some northern cultivars); they are rapidly consumed by birds or mammals when ripe (mostly early September). Hybrids may be expected with pruinosa, punctata, collina, margaretta and other species (D, F, St; Lance 2006). Mapped records here tentatively include colls. of the closely related taxa described as C. cibaria Beadle and C. cibilis Ashe, which have more cuneate leaf bases and come from more eastern regions of the state, mostly along the Ohio Rv. and its major triburtaries: BRAC, GRNP, LAWR, LETC and MASO (B, Cr, M). Some colls. from LYON and TRIG (APSC) are atypical, with leaves more gradually narrowed at the base (versus trunctate), less hairy on lower surfaces, and paler olive-green (versus bluish-green). They resemble the more northern, variable tetraploid segregate, C. submollis Sarg. (F, Phipps 2012), and have been misidentified locally as calpodendron or viridis; they may be hybrids with those species. Some plants in BALL and probably nearby have deeply lobed leaves, matching the midwestern var. incisifolia Kruschke (FNA 9). A more distinct member of series Molles with 5-10 stamens (versus 20 in mollis), less pubescent blades but glandular petioles, and thorns often absent, may also be expected (Phipps 2012): C. pennsylvanica Sarg., which occurs mostly in northern Appalachian regions and suggests a transition to coccinea (W). The series Molles generally have pubescent fresh twigs with grayish to brownish color; thorns tend to be few or absent except on trunks and larger branches.