Smooth coneflower habitat

The plant grows in open sunny areas and are often spotted along roadways or sunny forested areas. It requires neutral to alkaline soils rich in calcium and magnesium with good drainage. Before the arrival of Europeans, it thrived in oak savanna openings where its growth conditions were maintained by fire or grazing. Today, the plant may be found in power line rights-of-way and roadsides, where it is subject to harm by frequent mowing or the use of herbicides.
Photo by: Caroline S. Krom, June 6, 2017 at a power-line right of way in Granville County, NC