This is widespread in dry woods on medium acid soils from mid-Atlantic to midwestern states. It varies in ploidy (2n = 20, 30), and there appears to be occasional hybridization with album and pubescens. See also comments under godfreyanum regarding possible recognition of E. sessilifolium var. brittonianum. Without flowers, this species can be casually confused with Helianthus divaricatus; leaves of the latter are 3-nerved at base, hispid on upper surface (versus glabrous), and less long-acuminate.