Aruncus pubescens Rydberg in N. L. Britton et al., N. Amer. Fl. 22: 256. 1908

Leaf surfaces densely hairy. Styles 0.3–0.8 mm. Follicles slender, 1.6–2.4 mm. Seeds 1.5–2 mm. 2n = 18.

Flowering early summer. Rich woods, limestone bluffs; 50–700 m; Ark., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Ky., Miss., Mo., Ohio, Okla., Tenn.

Variety dioicus gradually gives way to var. pubescens, which has more consistently thicker and hairier leaves and occurs west of the Appalachian Mountains; there is variation in indument throughout the eastern range of var. dioicus.