This native diploid (2n = 34, 36) is a winter annual that is widespread across cool temperate regions of North America, growing in moderately disturbed submesic to subhydric woodlands and edges on fertile soils. In Ky. it is uncommon and appears to have been generally grazed, mowed or competed out of more heavily farmed, weedy landscapes. Together with brachypodum, these two native species differ from the aliens in Cerastium as follows (F, W): capsules 2-3 x length of the oblong, blunt to acutish sepals (versus 1-2 x length of the lance-attenuate sepals); bracts with green margins (versus green or often distinctly scarious); leaves narrowly oblong to oblanceolate (versus ovate, obovate or spathulate), mostly 1.5-8 cm long (versus 0.3-3 cm); stems relatively weak, sometimes with straggling, nonflowering basal shoots (versus mostly firm, erect).