This perennial occurs mostly in southeastern states, plus the sandy plains around Lake Michigan. Local dominance is reported only from dry infertile soils of varied texture and pH (NS). In Ky. it is uncommon to absent on fertile calcareous soils, but it is locally abundant on dolomitic soils (e.g. Pine Creek Barrens in BULL). The disjunct record from FAYE (EKY) probably came as a waif in hay transported to the Horse Park. See also notes under virgata.