Stems puberulent in lines or strips decurrent from distal leaf bases (at least). Mid cauline leaves mostly 40–110 × 5–15(–20) mm (4–15 times as long as wide). 2n = 18.

Flowering Jul–Oct. Sandy and clay soils, dry open woods, pine barrens, damp peaty pine woods, sand hills, edges of oak and pine woods, disturbed areas, roadside embankments; 0–700 m; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va.; Mexico (Tamaulipas, Veracruz).

Subspecies odora is replaced by subsp. chapmanii in central and southern Florida.