It is found in rocky ground and cultivated areas, such as cornfields and vineyards[4] in the Mediterranean region,[5][6][7] but has naturalized elsewhere.

Described by Oleg Polunin as "a striking plant", it has a tuft of bright blue to violet-blue sterile flowers above brownish-green fertile flowers, which open from dark blue buds,[4] reminiscent of a menorah candelabrum.

Mature fertile flowers are 5–10 mm long with stalks of this length or more and are bell-shaped, opening at the mouth, where there are paler lobes.

[7] During Roman times, Pliny noted that the bulbs were eaten with vinegar, oil, and garum.

[9] In Greek it is called βολβός, βολβοί, βροβιοί volví, vrovií (ασκουρδαλάκοι in Crete).