Parent materials vary but include granite, quartzite, gneiss, shale, and sandstone pavement. Grows on acidic soils with pH ranging from 2.8 to 6.6 but reportedly thrives on soils with a pH of 4.2 to 5.2. Can survive at least short term exposure to acid rain with a pH of 2.5. Could increase in response to acid rain in boreal forests. Also apparently resistant to emissions from zinc smelters.
Plants generally grow better on undisturbed than on tilled soil.
Understory dominant or codominant in a variety of forest communities. Well adapted to fire, generally sprouting from rhizomes or root crown after aboveground vegetation is removed or damaged by fire. Some seed may be transported by birds and mammals, but reseeding is generally limited to favorable sites in good years and appears to play a minimal role in postfire reestablishment. Fire removes decadent aboveground vegetation and promotes vigorous growth. Peatlands, lakes, and rocky outcrops serve as natural fire breaks.