This small herb is a widespread southeastern species in mesic to submesic or subxeric woods. The distinction of Endodeca from Aristolochia has been justified by recent analysis of Ohi-Toma et al. (2006; see also W). E. serpentaria has had much medicinal use, as summarized by Rafinesque (1828): "Diaphoretic, tonic, anodyne, antispasmodic, cordial, antiseptic, vermifuge, exanthematic, alexitere, and a powerful stimulant of the whole system. It was first introduced into Materia Medica as a remedy against snake bites, whence its name, and was used as such by the Indians, with many other plants; it acts then as a sudorific and antiseptic." The crushed root, when stuffed into the human nose, has a remarkable olfactory effect. However, there has been little published research on the chemistry and effects of this plant since Coutts et al (1959).