This weedy taprooted perennial has spread from its orginal range in the Great Plains, and is now widely scattered across temperate North America. The earliest records in Ky. date from 1942 (SERNEC; Braun 1943). It is especially common along railroads. From the "Illinois Wildflowers" website of J. Hilty (2015; www. illinoiswildflowers.info/ index.htm): "Wild Four-O'Clock tends to increase in areas disturbed by livestock; it is unclear if these animals eat this plant. Deer reportedly avoid it. The seeds and roots are known to be poisonous, although pigs may dig up the roots and eat them."