It is native to Europe and Western Asia, but has been introduced to the United States, where it is now found only in Arizona.

Hartworts may be found growing on acid, neutral and basic soils, but will not thrive in shade.

The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Tordylium apulum L. from Italy was analyzed.

Essential oil from aerial parts of T. apulum from Greece was reported to have α-humulene (28.7%) and octyl hexanoate (11.7%) as the main constituents.

[7] During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, Tordylium apulum, or hart-wort, was reputed to be the herb associated with the zodiac sign Pisces, and was used in charms & talismans, according to Appendix Four: Fixed Star Rulerships from Cornelius Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book I, Ch.