It is found from Western Asia, through Southern Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary up to Austria and the Jura Mountains near Regensburg in Germany.

The wing uppers of the males are bright orange-yellow in ground colour and have a dark edge that is not dusted.

The dark border is narrower on the hind wingsand not broken through by veins (in contrast to Colias crocea ).

The wing uppers of the females are orange-yellow to greenish-white ( C. myrmidone f. alba ) in colour and have a dark, dusty border.

Dwarf broom prefers nutrient-poor grassland, as it is quickly overgrown by other plants on fertilized, nutrient-rich soil.