The plant was described by James Edward Smith in Flora Graeca (1816).

The species is named after the ancient Greek physician and botanist Pedanius Dioscorides.

In winter appear green, arrow-shaped leaves.

In spring, the short-stalked inflorescence appears consisting of a black, rod-shaped spadix surrounded by a yellow-green, purple-mottled brown or even purple bract (spathe).

The spadix emits a pungent smell that attracts flies as pollinators.