Grows best on moist fertile soils. Tolerates poor, dry, gravelly soils, but seldom grows in wet soils. Inhabits regions with temperate, Mediterranean, and tropical climates. Abundant throughout California. Most seeds fall near the parent plant, but some seeds may disperse to greater distances with water, agricultural activities, and animals.
Seeds are hard coated and can survive ingestion by birds and other animals.
Most seeds can imbibe water and germinate 10-15 days after pollination. Impermeable seeds require scarification or degradation of the seed coat by microbial action to imbibe water and germinate. Seeds germinate throughout the growing season, but peak germination usually occurs mid-spring through early summer. Light is not required. A large portion of the seed bank remains dormant from year to year.