The flowers are pollinated by insects, and the tiny dust-like seed is distributed by the wind.

[7] Hooded ladies' tresses was first described by the German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso.

He named it in honour of his patron Nikolay Rumyantsev who had financed the scientific exploration to the Americas in 1815–1818 on which he found the orchid.

It is common in North America, including Canada and the United States, but also grows in a few locations in Scotland and Ireland.

Recent studies have found genetic hybrids in the Ontario, Canada population.