Newfoundland through New England to Florida Panhandle, west to the north shore of Lake Superior and eastern Minnesota and south through the Midwest to Arkansas and Mississippi. Moist woodlands, along forest margins, on stream and swamp borders, and near deep canyon bottoms. Grows best on deep well-drained soils. Fire probably top-kills the plant. If the roots or stems survive fire, it may reproduce vegetatively, or it may colonize fire disturbed sites with animal-dispersed seed.
Black bear eat the fruit.
Leaves and stems are eaten by white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, and beavers. Fed upon by at least 11 species of birds including ruffed grouse. Seed dispersal by gravity and animals. Germination delayed due to embryo dormancy. By seed, following cold stratification.