Mature males have a prominent mental gland on the chin and swellings above the base of the tail, while females have proportionally longer bodies.

[3] Shortly after its initial description, it was considered to be a southern population of Plethodon wehrlei[4][5] and was lumped into that species for many years.

A 2019 study once again recovered Plethodon jacksoni as a valid species according to the distinctiveness of its mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.

[2] It can be found sheltering under rocks and logs on dry hillsides during the late winter and early spring.

[3] The "southern wehrlei" salamander population, which may be closely related or within P. jacksoni,[2] occurs as far south as northwestern North Carolina (Stokes and Alleghany counties).