This is widespread across east-central states, usually in thin woods and brushy old fields on low sites with moist to damp fertile soils. V. alternifolia is among the most distinctive species of the genus is eastern states; 2n = 68 (versus 34 in most other species). But alternifolia has largely opposite or subopposite leaves at lower nodes, even rarely at upper nodes, and can then be misidentified as occidentalis (see also Y). Compared to occidentalis, leaves of alternifolia tend to have narrower shape: mostly 10-25 x 2-8 cm (versus 6-12 x 3-6). Also, heads tend to be less numerous and distinctly larger, with involucres 10-12 mm wide (versus 3-5 mm), rays mostly 2-8 (versus 1-3) and 15-25 mm long (versus 10-15 mm).