Records of this species are widely scattered across eastern North America except for the southeastern Coastal Plain, most of the Interior Low Plateaus (but perhaps overlooked), and the higher Appalachians (K). In Ky. it usually occurs in varied open habitats on medium-acid clayey soils with some seasonal dampness but often drying severely in summer. It is the only Platanthera sometimes found in old fields with little native vegetation. Also, it flowers relatively early, usually in Jun-Jul (versus Jul-Aug).