This poisonous plant ranges across east-central states, but it is largely restricted to base-rich soils, and usually within somewhat mesic woods, especially with a moderate degree of disturbance. In the central Bluegrass, Short (1828-9) noted: "Found on creek sides, particularly preferring rocky precipices. D. tricorne is one of the plants which are indefinitely called staggerweed; to eating which the diseases of cattle are sometimes attributed." However, dense deer populations sometimes browse much on this species (Frankland & Nelson 2003); and rabbits may do so also (pers. obs.). Toxicity in this genus is caused by varied diterpene alkaloids, especially the lycotonine group (Pfister et al. 1999).