Successional herb species. A survivor species following fire, sprouting from surviving rhizomes in mineral soil. Moderately resistant to fire-kill. Fire will consume all aboveground parts, sparing the rhizome, or it may be killed by fire that removes the duff and heats the upper mineral layer. The Nuxalk Indians of British Columbia collected the ripe berries from July to August for food.
Roots steadily die off so that the oldest rhizome segments have few roots remaining.
Rhizomes can produce aerial stems, annual shoots which normally bear 7-9 leaves and occasionally produce flowers at the tip. Seed dispersal by wildlife consumers. Pollination by insects. Prefers cool, moist soils.