This diploid (2n = 10) occurs mostly in Tex. and La., but with scattered disjunct populations across southeastern states (Jones et al. 2008). It has been confused with the midwestern S. sericeum (Vent.) Nesom, which has been reported erroneously from Ky. (M) and Tenn. (Ch). Within Ky., pratense is known only from cedar glades and xeric grassland in or near the Big Barrens region, and in the adjacent western Knobs. It is associated with other rare to conservative species such as Echinacea simulata, Liatris squarrosa, Lithospermum canescens and Scutellaria leonardii.