Vanilla-leaf is a low-growing perennial herb that forms patches in the forest understory. The leaves are roundish in outline and divided into three lobes, with each lobe somewhat triangular or fan-shaped. The leaves are held almost horizontally with the flowering stem arising between them. The tiny flowers have no sepals or petals and appear white because of the 9-13 white stamens. The dried leaves smell like vanilla. Vanilla-leaf is common along moist forest edges and along streambanks at low to middle elevations. It blooms in April and May.