Rich forests, both upland beech-maple and swamps in moist ground. The Keweenaw Co. record (Farwell 415 in 1886, BLH) appears out of range but this is not one of his suspect records. Farwell's notes say "collected in 1878 by James Eade & analysed in school at that time."

The pale-flowered form lacking the usual purplish markings is known as f. pallidum House, and has been found at a few localities in the state.

This remarkable plant, like Calypso in the north and Tipularia, develops leaves in the fall, which overwinter, scenescing in the spring. Beginning in mid-September the leaf, erect and rolled into a cylinder, appears above ground, slowly elongating. As the tree leaves finish falling, the leaf finishes elongating and expanding, finally to lay flat on top of the newly fallen tree leaves, ready for photosynthesis. Either very late fall or early spring is thus the time to detect this species by its distinctive pleated and strongly veined leaves.