This small shrub is widespread across east-central states, but only locally abundant. It may be most common in transitions between native grassland remnanrts (or associated old fields) and successional woodland; it is easily reduced with fire. See notes under lobocarpum (and allies), which may be confused in some western or southern records. According to N. Robson (FNA 6), 2n = 18 in both species and hybrids appear possible. However, Matzk et al. (2003) have reported 2n = 36 for the allied H. densiflorum Pursh and 2n = 40 for H. X arnoldianum Rehder, which may be a hybrid of densiflorum and lobocarpum.