Dry sunny rocky balds or open sandy areas, typically in acidic soils and often with Polytrichum moss and little other vegetation. Characteristic of the Upper Peninsula "hard" rocks as well as old dunes, and the Jack Pine areas of the northern Lower Peninsula. Very local in barrens southward. Also very local on soil over limestone on Drummond Island.

Easier to spot when fresh, moist, and bright green than when gray-green and desiccated.