[3][4] This species is present in the Eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and from north of Florida to Southern Canada[5] and west to Montana and New Mexico.

[6] These damselflies inhabit various wetlands, especially small ponds, slow moving streams and marshes.

[5] These small green, black and blue damselflies have a slender body with four wings folding over the back.

The top of the abdomen (eighth and ninth abdominal segments) is blue, with black markings on sides.

[5][6] The males' abdomens shows tiny projections off the tip (hence the common name verticalis of this species).