This is a rather rare flower. It grows at fairly high altitude where there is a seeping spring. It is a biennial, and looks like a weedin the first year. I found this near Brasstown Bald, in north Georgia, in fairly late autumn. It is a protected species. Never pick one if you see it, as it reproduces only from seed.
Gregory, thanks for the do not pick message. I was shocked the first time I saw the endangered species list for plants back in the 1980’s, which in part along with habitat loss, hobbyist horticulturalist add to the decline.