This weedy European species,is widely scattered across North America, at least in cool temperate zones (Cr, K, W; FNA 12). Although it has been present on the continent since the early 19th Century, spread into some southeastern regions has only occurred during recent decades. In Ky.,it has only been reported from SHEL in 2021 (JEF; see SERNEC 2023) and from JESS in 2023 (P. Adanick, pers. comm.). E. helioscopia is somewhat similar to obtusata and spathulata but has smooth ovaries and capsules (versus verrucose) capsules; also, it has relatively narrow-based floral leaves (versus broad-based).