It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and it is known elsewhere, including parts of North America, as an introduced species.

It grows up to 50 centimetres (20 in) tall with a hairless, waxy stem around which leaves are fused at their bases.

The dull, waxy, deep-green leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to nearly oval and 3 to 10 centimetres (1.2 to 3.9 in) long.

The inflorescence is a compound umbel borne on a peduncle which may be several centimeters tall.

The umbel is surrounded by five wide, round to oval, and sometimes pointed bractlets at the base.