It is native to eastern North America, where its populations are concentrated in the Midwestern United States.

[6] It is found in habitats such as prairies, limestone and sandstone outcroppings, bluffs, barrens, glades, woodlands and dunes.

The cylindrical blazing star grows from rounded or sometimes elongated corms, which produce hairless stems 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall.

The flowers bloom in mid to late summer, starting at the top of the cluster.

The seed are produced in fruits (cypselae) that are 5–7 mm (3⁄16–9⁄32 in) long with feathery pappi.