This weedy winter- or summer-annual is widespread across North Temperate regions, especially on somewhat eutrophic soils in gardens, cropland or areas with much trampling by large animals (Aksoy et al. 1998). In Ky. it appears to have been common during the earliest period of settlement, when listed in the genus Thlaspi (McMurtrie 1819; Short 1928-9). Short noted: Found everywhere in cultivated ground." Gm noted: "well-known from its constant presence about human habitations... not much disposed to spread greatly elsewhere..." Although not closely related to Thlaspi arvense, both species are often associated and can germinate throughout most of the year if stratified seed are exposed to light (Aksoy et al. 1998).