This species occurs from east-central states to the Great Plains and perhaps beyond, often in "moist" habitats (F, Cr, W); but only var. aptera occurs in the east. In Ky. aptera typically occurs in thin dry upland woods and edges on somewhat base-rich soils. It is also frequent on seasonally dry boulder-cobble bars along the Cumberland Rv. and its tributaries. It has often been confused with Thaspium trifoliatum.