Green Dragon grows across eastern and central North America, from Quebec to Texas, threading through damp woods and fertile creek-side soils. In North Carolina it turns up mainly in the Piedmont, scattered at the edges of shady woodland gardens and along stream banks. Like its close relative the Jack-in-the-pulpit, it grows from a corm and sends up a single large compound leaf each spring, but its inflorescence is the distinguishing feature: a green spathe from which a slender spadix extends far beyond the hood, suggesting unmistakably a dragon's tail. The tiny flowers hide beneath the leaves; the spectacle is entirely architectural.

By late summer the plant retreats underground completely, leaving behind a cluster of red fruits that birds harvest before the foliage has fully gone. This disappearing act is worth planning for: planting green dragon near ferns and hostas ensures the space stays occupied once dormancy takes hold. It grows best in fertile, moist, neutral to acidic soil in partial to full shade, and will not perform in heavy clay. Propagate by division in spring, or from seed — though patience is required, as seedlings take time to establish. Leave wild plants undisturbed; they are uncommon and slow to recover from collection.