Found natively in high quality open wetlands, this warm season perennial is found near the shoreline as well as out in open water. Its tuberous reproductio, dazzling blue flower stalks, smooth arrow like leaves, and declining populations make it an excellent choice for restoration products. In sandy ponds it is found with Calamagrostis canadensis and Glyceria septentrionalis; near shorelines it is found with Iris virginica shrevei and Sparganium euryarpum; and bogs it is found with Comarum palustre and Peltandra vigrinica. The seeds were once used as an ingredient in granola.