This southeastern perennial typically occurs in thin woods on base-rich soils. The coll. from MADI (BEREA) was made in 2020 at a location where artificial establishent is possible. The species has an ancient history of medicinal use, especially as a vermifuge, and it is reported to contain an alkaloid with nicotine-like effects (Moreland 1975). But, although there have been widely scattered pharmaceutical investigations of Spigelia, there has been little definitive research on its effects. The South Carolina Botanical Garden (in Facebook) has provided the following quote from Dr. Alexander Garden of Charleston in 1763. He wrote to another doctor: "About forty years ago, the anthelmintic virtues of the root of this plant [also once known as "worm-grass"] were discovered by the Indians; since which time it has been much used here by physicians, practitioners, and planters. The ability to rid people of intestinal worms almost wiped out the plant by the early 1800’s. Indian pink fought back by inflicting severe side effects and recovered by the early 1900’s." The tropical species, S. anthelmia L., is much better known in its chemistry, which include the complex alkaloid "spiganthnie" (Achenbach et al. 1995). Of anthelmia, it has been said: "The root crushed and sniffed sends a dagger into the sinuses" (treasurecoastnatives.wordpress.com).