in all of the lower 48 states in the United States
In Ontario, they have been identified across the southern part of the province with scattered occurrences as far north as Georgian Bay and Lake Superior.
Colonize in wet areas including natural wetlands and shorelines.
Prefer standing water, but roots can grow to extreme lengths, allowing the plant to survive in low water areas.
Thrive in disturbed habitats such as roads, ditches and agricultural areas.
Optimal environments are roads and ditches which are frequently disturbed, with high inputs of salt and other contaminents; and agricultural areas which are frequently disturbed, with high levels of nutrients from fertilizer run-off.
Common sites are along Ontario’s major highways and secondary roads which act as spread vectors.