Often grows in moist soils. Tolerates hot, dry conditions. Throughout much of the U.S., except some northern states. Western California, Central Valley, foothills of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada. Seed disperses to greater distances with wind, water, agricultural activities, and animals.
Some seed survives ingestion by birds and mammals.
Unlike commercial sorghums, glumes tightly enclose seeds and can protect seeds from decomposition in the soil for several years. Photosynthesis is by the C4 pathway. Reproduces by seed and vegetatively from rhizomes . Most seed requires an average afterripening period of 4-5 months. Evidence suggests that glumes of dormant seeds may prevent oxygen uptake.