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

[2][3] This perennial herb produces a slender, erect, red-tinged stem up to about 30 centimeters tall from a rhizome.

Blooming generally occurs in May through July,[2] but plants can be seen in flower between April and October.

[4] Spigelia gentianoides grows in wooded areas dominated by trees such as loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), water oak (Quercus nigra), laurel oak (Quercus hemisphaerica), southern red oak (Quercus falcata), and black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica).

[2][3] It grows at the Bibb County Glades, which has the highest level of biodiversity of any area in the state of Alabama.