This "peavine" is a widespread eastern species, but it is less common in the lower Ohio Valley and on the southeastern Coastal Plain (K, iNaturalist.org), where it is perhaps replaced ecologically by Lackeya in some habitats. There may be two or three widespread segregates that deserve recognition (W). See notes under var. comosa, which is separated here on a provisional basis. A. bracteata is a twining annual, in morphological terms, but with additional cleistogamous flowers that are produced underground, so that plants spread clonally as well (Schnee & Waller 1986). The underground fruits (known as "hog-peanuts") were much consumed by hogs when these animals used to roam freely in the woods after settlement.