It is native to eastern North America, where it is found in open areas such as prairies and woodlands.

Leaves, stems, and sepals are covered with hairs and the plant is sticky to the touch.

Each flower has five lobes (petals) that are pale pink, lavender, or purple, and is 1⁄2–3⁄4 in (13–19 mm) across.

Only butterflies, moths, skippers, and very long-tongued bees (the largest bumblebees) have long enough tongues to reach the nectar.

As they insert their proboscis into the corolla tube, it touches the anthers and picks up pollen.