This alien perennial is a widely scattered weed in northeastern regions, but uncommon to absent in southeastern states. It was first collected in Ky. during 1984 (M). Colls. should be rechecked against verified G. wirtgenii F.W. Schultz (verum ssp. wirtgenii), which may be difficult to distinguish in dried material (Cr, W). G. wirtgenii differs in its odorless, lemon-yellow flowers (versus fragrant, golden-yellow), and its more interrupted inflorescence; 2n = 22 (versus 22 or 44).