It is native to central and eastern North America where it is found in open, dry, habitats on calcareous soil.

The 5-lobed flowers are dark lavender or purple to white or bluish, 4–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long, and shaped like a trumpet.

[3] V. simplex is native in the United States from Nebraska to the west, Texas and Florida to the south, Massachusetts to the east and the Canadian border to the north.

[3] It is listed as endangered in Massachusetts[5] and New Jersey,[6] and as a species of special concern in Connecticut,[7] Minnesota,[8] and Wisconsin.

[9] The flowers bloom June through August[8] and are attractive to bees, skippers and probably butterflies.