Despite its common name, in eastern Massachusetts it mostly occurs in open fens, where it sinks amidst taller herbaceous vegetation. Although its height is listed in the Flora of North America as 0.2-1.5 m, here it typically remains within 0.2-0.7 m. Favored by deer, it is additionally trimmed by them; besides, it normally does not grow vertical, rather remaining prostrate (decumbent).