It is most common in the Interior Low Plateaus of Alabama and Tennessee.

There are disjunct populations in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, northern Illinois, the Pennyroyal Plain of Kentucky, and to southern Ontario.

[3][4] In each of these wide-ranging locations it is found on areas of pooling water over flat limestone outcrops, in habitats such as cedar glades and alvars.

It is closely related to Gratiola neglecta, which collections were previously identified as.

It is distinguished by its more linear leaves, its nearly hairless midstem, and its thicker seeds.