Inland Oats is common in the southern half of Illinois, but uncommon or absent in the northern half of the state (see Distribution Map). This is primarily a southern species as Illinois lies along the northern portion of its range. Habitats include moist alluvial meadows, rocky slopes along streams, limestone glades, thinly wooded areas in river floodplains, moist woodlands, and woodland borders. Some local populations may derive from plants that have escaped cultivation.