[3][5][8] The flowers are pollinated by various insects, resulting in an oval fruit covered with chaffy scales.

[6] A native North American plant, G. sarothrae is found throughout west-central Canada (the Prairie Provinces, the western and central United States (the Great Plains and regions to the west), and northern Mexico as far south as Zacatecas and Baja California Sur.

[9][10] Due to its efficient water use and drought tolerance, it is able to survive in arid and semi-arid sites, such as rocky plains, dry foothills, ridgetops, mountain slopes, and in semi-desert valleys.

[3][7] The species is very adaptable, and can be found in a variety of ecoregions, including pinyon–juniper woodlands, desert shrublands, and sagebrush-grasslands.

[4] The plant is of little value to cattle and horses, but can be a fair quality winter browse for domestic sheep when there is little access to green forage.

[13] G. sarothrae is one of the most widespread and damaging rangeland weeds,[14] and can displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed.

[16] However, seeds can remain viable if in the soil, often causing G. sarothrae densities to increase after a fire.

[18] Its toxicity is due primarily to saponins, which can cause illness, death, or abortion, as well as to alkaloids, terpenes, and flavonols in the plant.

[21] Toxicity is generally higher during periods of rapid growth, such as early leaf development, and when grown on sandy rather than on calcareous or clay soils.

A decoction of the plant was used by the Lakota to treat colds, coughs, and dizziness, while a concentrate made from the flowers was used by the Dakota as a laxative for horses.