The whole species of this Ox-Eye Sunflower or False Sunflower has a large native range from southwest Quebec down into Georgia to New Mexico up into southern Saskatchewan. This Smooth-leaved variety called the Smooth Ox-Eye is found in the East while the rough-leaved variety of "scabra" (with leaves rough like sandpaper to the touch) is found farther west; not that there is any real difference. This makes a good bushy perennial for gardens that is a non-spreading clump, though the natural form may need some staking, especially with some shade. Flowers can be deadheaded to extend the bloom that usually lasts about 8 weeks. It can be divided for propagation. Like other members of the Composite or Aster Family, it has both inner disk florets and outer ray florets that make up the composite flower. Both the ray & disk florets produce seeds called achenes. True Sunflowers have their disk florets only to produce the seeds (achenes), and the similar Silphium (Rosinweeds) have their ray florets produce the seeds. Furthermore, the Ox-Eye ray florets persist on the flower while true sunflower ray flowers will fall off after a time. A good number of native plant nurseries sell the species. Most conventional nurseries sell cultivars of this species, whether Smooth or Rough.

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