Showy easy perennial native to the central and eastern US. The roots of this have been used to treat chronic colds, fever, dysentary and typhus. The leaves yield a poor indigo dye, and are visited by caterpillars of the Orange Sulfer, Southern Dogface, and Wild Indigo Duskywing butterflies. They are left alone by deer and other nibblers. Prefers damp to dry acidic soil in full sun.