Aureolaria pedicularia is native to parts of the eastern US, the Midwest, and adjacent Canada.

Aureolaria pedicularia is recognized by its yellow petal color and distinctive fern-like leaves.

Most species in the family Orobanchaceae, including Aureolaria pedicularia, are partial root parasites.

[11] These subspecies are distinguished by physical characteristics such as glandular hairs on the leaves and other traits such as the size.

pedicularia is known from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

[4] Rafinesque published Pantenis pedicularis (or Aureolaria) and based it on Gerardia pedicularia L. (1753).

Rafinesque did not officially establish the binomial name Aureolaria pedicularia but he did use it as an alternative for the taxon Pantenis pedicularis.

[13] Habitats for Aureolaria pedicularia include terrestrial locations such as cliffs, balds, ledges, forests, grasslands, ridges, rocky slopes, and woodlands.

Aureolaria pedicularia is most commonly found in open oak woods and savannas.

[6] The overall US distribution for Aureolaria pedicularia is throughout most of eastern North America the Great Lake states and parts of the mid-west[5] Aureolaria pedicularia was used by the Cherokee as a drug for antidiarrheal purposes.

[15] In the state of Maine, the status for the presence of the plant Aureolaria pedicularia is considered uncommon.

[6] One of the factors that contribute to the endangerment of Aureolaria pedicularia is the consumption of this plant by young larvae or deer.

[15][16] Another factor that affects the population of Aureolaria pedicularia is the availability of its favored host, since it is a root parasite.