It is found in dry pastures across much of Europe and central and northern Asia, mostly on lime.

It has finely-cut, fern-like radical leaves which form a basal rosette, and an erect stem 20–50 centimetres (8–20 in) tall[2] bearing a loose terminal inflorescence of small creamy white flowers.

The flowers appear in dense clusters from late spring to midsummer atop sparsely leafed stems about 30 cm tall.

The tuberous roots and young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw as a salad.

The mature leaves smell of oil of wintergreen when crushed, due to the release of methyl salicylate.