This occurs is largely rerstricted to uplands on the central Mississippi watershed , especially Ozarkian regions. It usually grows in thin woods or transitions to grassland on dry base-rich soils. It flowers much earlier than other species in the genus (mostly Jun-Jul versus Aug-Sep). In Ky. helianthoides appears restricted to western regions, but it does occur in se. Ohio (including Adams Co.), and it might be expected in adjacent LEWI. B's sight record from PULA is mapped here but may be questioned.