This widespread western biennial or short-lived perennial is occasionally cultivated (as a "wallflower"), escaped or adventive in eastern states. But it appears native in s. Ohio, e. W.Va., w. Va. and especially c. Tenn., where it is scattered along bluffs of the Cumberland Rv. and itributaries (D. Estes, pers. comm.). In Ky. there were no records until the recent discovery in an old field of MADI, where it may have been introduced with "wildflower" sowings (Poindexter & Thompson 2008; G. Dandeneau, pers. comm.). Also, it was discovered during 2010 within an apparently native context by T. Littlefield (EKY): in CUMB on eroding west-facing bluffs at the Narrows of Cumberland Rv. E. asperum (Nutt.) DC. is a related species that has been reported from Ky. (E. Carr coll., perhaps at Pine Mt. Settlement School) and some adjacent states, but probably in error (M, Y).