This variable annual is widespread across temperate North America, flowering from spring to fall. In Ky. it is perhaps the most widespread native species of Brassicaceae on open uplands; but see also Cardamine parviflora and Sibara virginica. Gm noted: "Tho a very common and familiar weed everywhere, this plant has not acquired a bad reputation in Kentucky... Caged birds like the seeds and probably poultry feed on the capsules at times." Intraspecific variation has been treated in various ways, but all plants in Ky. appear to be the typical var. virginicum. Experimental work on this species has shown that pubescence can be induced by herbivory or similar damage (Dalin et al. 2008).