It is native to the central and southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico, where it is found in prairies, upland rocky glades, and sandy open woods.

Speckles and spots occur frequently on some leaves in most populations, and some authors have used the informal designation "forma tigrina" for such variants.

[8] In early summer, leafless flower stalks emerge from the basal rosettes of leaves, growing rapidly up to 2.1 m (7 ft) tall.

The inflorescence appears June to August, with 10–61 closely spaced flowers grouped in a spike that is about 15–61 cm (6–24 in) long.

[3] Its habitat is sunny, well-drained areas in prairies, upland rocky glades, and sandy open woods.