Fairy-Wand is a native perennial wildflower of eastern North America. It has separate male and female plants with the male flowers being larger and the spike often curved downward from the tip.

It is found in rich woods, wet savannas, and moist meadows, slopes, and thickets. Preference is for organically rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. Plants have become rare in many parts of its habitat and should not be collected from the wild.

Propagation is by seed or division of the rhizomes. Plats are dioecious and therefore a male and a female plant are needed to produce a seed.