In North America, this European annual is known mostly from east-central states, from the Ozark region to the Interior Low Plateaus to the Mid-Atlantic regon (Cr, W, K; Lipscomb & Nesom 2007). It occurs mostly in artificial grassland, especially along major highways. G. divaricatum has been considered part of G. parisiense L., sensu lato (with 2n = 22 to 66). A reported coll. from HENR (not at KY) by Gentry (1963), is believable but needs to be verified. There are also unverified reports from WOLF and WOOD (M). G. divaricatum differs from parisiense sensu stricto (and anglicum) as follows (W): inflorescence relatively diffuse with divaricate branches (versus relatively strict with ascending branches); ultimate fruits at 2-7 nodes beyond primary stem axis with largest leaves (versus 2-4 nodes); first inflorescence internodes, beyond primary stem axis, 15-50 mm long (versus 3-20 mm); fruit surface glabrous (versus glabrous or bristly-hispid).