Shrubs forming clumps, often prostrate, usually only 1 or 2 stem segments tall, to 0.5 m. Stem segments fleshy, flabby, or firm, cross-wrinkled under stress. 2n = 22, 44. Flowering spring-summer (Feb-Aug). Sandy habitats, openings on dry, sometimes wooded hillsides; 0-1000 m; Ont.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Va., W.Va., Wis.