This pretty little plant is a native of Britain and other countries of Europe, also of North America and Asia, always affecting the colder latitudes, or, if appearing in the warmer countries, it rises into the mountains. Old fir or other open moist woods are its favourite haunts. It is a solitary species, and the sole representative in the flora of Britain of the seventh class in the Linnaean system of botany; but it is not a good seventh, the parts of the flowers being often found in fives. The whole plant rarely exceeds 6 inches high, with erect wiry stems bearing a few leaves whorl-fashion at the top, and from the centre of these spring the chaste and graceful star-like white or pale pink flowers with a small yellow eye. On rockwork it must be placed in such a position as that shade and moisture will be secured to it, and the soil it most delights in is open gritty leaf-mould, or very sandy peat and light loam. It does not succeed cultivated in the ordinary exposed mixed border or bed, shade being very essential to its wellbeing; but it is a most useful plant to introduce into moderately shady moist woods or banks, with a northern aspect, where the natural herbage is not too rank and overpowering.

In all cases where the introduction of it is contemplated, the soil above named should be liberally allowed; it well repays a little trouble in the first preparation for its reception. The flowers appear in cultivation usually in May or June, but in nature often a month later. Division is the best method of propagation.