Western Sunflowers are commonly found in prairies and savannas with a gravelly or sandy soil. Unlike many other sunflowers, they only produce basal foliage, leaving their delicate flower stalks bare. The flowers are delicate and charming. Due to its rhizomes, this species will form small colonies. It is commonly found with Carex umbellata, Panicum virgatum, and Schizahyrium scoparium in prairies; and with Amorhpa canescens, Carex pennsylvanica, Koeleria macrantha, and Monarda punctata in savannas. Bob White Quail are known to feed on its seeds.