This widespread eastern species is a twining annual that spreads into bare ground along shores, railroads and similar sites, especially on sandy or gravely soils. Some plants are referable to var. missouriensis (S. Wats.) Britt., which has not been separated in recent treatments but may deserve recognition (Ladd & Thomas 2015). From initial analysis of DNA, helvola appears to be relatively uniform across its range (Riley-Hulting et al. 2004).