This annual is concentrated in east-central states, growing in a variety of open habitats with thin vegetation and bare ground or disturbed soil, but usually rocky and base-rich. The species (and genus) has abundant sticky glands that produce medium-chain triglycerides which have been considered for biofuel production (Geller et al. 1999), There has also been some interest in ornamental use (missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder).