This perennial is commonly found in marshes, fens, sedge meadows, wet prairies, and ditches. It has an upright growth pattern and uniquely lobed leaves. It produces small, white flowers in leaf nodes during late summer. It associates with Asclepias incarnata, Carex lacustris, and Verbena hastata in marhes. In fens, It is found with Carex hystericina, Pycanthemum virginanum, and Solidago patula. The juices in its stem were once used as a rudimentary self tanner.