This diploid (2n = 14) is widespread in midwestern and eastern regions. In Ky. it is generally restricted to remnants of native grassland on rocky calcareous sites. The roots of this species (and related species) produce a reddish--purple juice that has had use as a pigment or as diverse medicines, containing various pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Moerman 2009, Roeder et al. 2015).