Galax urceolata can occur at multiple ploidy levels, an individual may be a diploid (2x), triploid (3x), or autotetraploid (4x) (autopolyploid).

[1] The cytotypes are neither morphologically nor geographically distinct, though there are slight climatic differences between the diploid and autotetraploid types.

Around 1730, Galax was collected by John Clayton, due to his friendship with Mark Catesby, an English naturalist who had just arrived in Virginia.

Based on Catesby's recommendation, Clayton ended up sending his specimens to Jan Frederik Gronovius, a Dutch botanist.

[5] In 1739, Gronovius published The Flora of Virginia, where "Anonymos or Belvedere" is the plant long known as Galax aphylla.

The leaves are often harvested for the floristry industry; concern has been expressed over excessive exploitation, and collection is now restricted in many areas.