This endangered plant is found in the unusual habitat of open limestone glades, which are often transistion zones between the prairie and the mature oak forests of the mountainous Ozarks. These glades are extremely uncommon in Missouri, and thus produce highly localized populations of the Missouri bladderpod. The suppression of natural fires in limestone glades have allowed for the conversion of the habitat to woody vegetation, specifically to the eastern red cedar in Missouri. The cedar is an extremely invasive tree that is a significant threat to smaller plants like the Missouri bladderpod which cannot adapt to the shade from the thick cedar canopy. However, succession is not the only threat to the bladderpod.
Plants located in parks are subject to the stress of high visitor numbers and occasional collection.
One way to improve and protect the habitat of the bladderpod and other native glade species is to remove eastern red cedars, allowing the sun to shine directly on the rocky ground year round. It is also important that fire be returned to the landscape to preserve the natural balance of the land. In 1995, the Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the Nature Conservancy and the Missouri Department of Conservation, began working on 90 acres of land adjacent to the Rocky Barrens Natural History Area to remove red cedar and conduct prescribed burns. The efforts produced a stunning success, as evident in the spring of 1997 when the land turned bright yellow with a profusion of Missouri bladderpod. In addition to the use of fire for recovery, the Missouri Botanical Garden is prepared to bring this species into protective cultivation under the guidance of The Center for Plant Conservation.