It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat and is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

[1] This plant is a perennial herb producing a clump of branching stems up to 40 centimeters tall with grasslike leaves.

[1] Besides the threat of outright destruction through human activity, the plant faces other problems, including its habitat being seized by the invasion of introduced species of plants such as kudzu (Pueraria lobata) "the vine that ate the south",[5] Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Nepalese browntop (Microstegium vimineum).

A natural fire regime maintains the open clearings and thin litter layer that the plant requires.

[4] Although the plant was considered "fairly common" as recently as 1942, human activity has since made its habitat unsuitable throughout most of its range.