Lowland to upland forests, especially along borders; thickets, fencerows, river banks; shores and dunes.

Widespread and variable, some forms, especially those on dunes sometimes segregated as var. syrticola (Fernald & Wiegand) Fernald are more pubescent (Catling & Mitrow, 2005), but usually recognizable by the minutely ciliate sharp teeth and forward-pointing lobes on the leaf blades, which are longer than broad. The fruit is glaucous when ripe and sour until frost, but makes a good jelly.