Petals yellow , 15-20 mm long, persistent. Stamen filaments fused into a tube. Disturbed sites, sand dunes, fields, pastures, logged areas, burned sites, particularly where winters are mild and some moisture is available year round. Frost-damaged plants can resprout from the crown. Does not survive severe cold winter or arid climates.
Plants produce abundant quantities of seed.
Most seeds are ejected to within 5 m of the parent shrub when pods snap open at maturity. Some seeds may disperse to greater distances with human activities, water, soil movement, animals, and ants. Seeds are hard-coated and can survive for more than 30 years under field conditions. Large soil seed banks often accumulate. Scarification or heating often stimulates germination.