This occurs mostly in Ozarkian regions and along the southwestern edge of the Interior Low Plateaus (K, W). In s. Ill., w. Ky., w. Tenn.,and n. Ala. the taxon extends south in remnants of native grassland, mostly on calcareous soils but with much chert or gravel. There is no evidence that this part of the range is adventive as has been indicated by K. However, there is an anomalous disjunct record from MENI (EKY): collected by R. Clark & D. Taylor in 1989 from "open, west-facing slope, at junction of east and west branches of Indian Creek." Adventive status is suspected, perhaps from a wildflower seed mix of Sharp Brothers, Missouri (D. Taylor, pers. comm.). There are similar disjunct records from Mich.,Ohio and N.Y. (K); F stated "escaped from cultivation east to New England". S. pitcheri has been confused with typical S. azurea Michx. ex Lam., which is a more southeastern taxon largely restricted to the Coastal Plain and Piedmont (W). The degree of distinction needs further assessment; see detailed key in W.