It is a herbaceous annual plant, native to most of Europe, northern Africa, and eastward through most of Asia.

[5][6] Euphorbia helioscopia is an annual plant growing in arable land and disturbed ground.

It grows to 10–50 cm tall, with a single, erect, hairless stem, branching toward the top.

The leaves are oval, broadest near the tip, 1.5–3 cm long, with a finely toothed margin.

[4][5] Similar species include Euphorbia rhabdotosperma, having the appearance of E. helioscopia with smaller parts and differing seed surface [7] (Iran, North Caucasus, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkmenistan).