It grows mostly in the Great Lakes Region and in the Ozarks, with additional populations scattered as far as Massachusetts, Texas, and the Florida Panhandle.

[4] Helianthus occidentalis differs from other, similar species by its sparse leaves, most of which are crowded around the lower part of the stem.

This perennial plant reaches heights from 2 to 5 ft (60–150 cm).

[3] The word occidentalis means "western" in Latin.

The plant was first described in 1836, when the Great Lakes Region was considered the western part of the United States.