Aeschynomene americana is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and parts of the Caribbean. It has been intentionally introduced in agroforestry systems in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, being used for forage, green manure, and land reclamation in wetlands. It can be found naturalized along roadsides, in wet places such as drainage ditches, in disturbed sites and secondary forests. It is also a weed of pastures and agricultural lands.