It is native to the eastern United States, where it occurs from Delaware to Florida.

[1] This rhizomatous perennial herb produces a hollow stem up to 85 centimeters tall.

The plant is semi-aquatic, often growing in water for part of the year.

[1] This plant grows in cypress swamps and other wet habitat types, such as meadows, bays, and ponds.

[1] A number of insect species have been observed visiting the plant, including Ceratina dupla, Augochlorella striata, Hylaeus confluens, Hylaeus modestus, Hoplitis truncata, Melissodes communis, and Geron holosericeus.