According to Guppy and Shepard (2001), its specific name phlaeas is said to be derived either from the Greek φλέγω (phlégo), "to burn up", or from the Latin floreo, "to flourish".

Some females also have a row of blue spots inside the orange border and are known as form caeruleopunctata.

The black spots on the forewings are outlined in yellow and the dark colouring is replaced by a pale brownish grey.

It is found in a wide variety range of habitats from chalk downlands, heathland, and woodland clearings, to churchyards and waste ground in cities.

In exceptionally good years, a fourth brood sometimes occurs in the south and adults can still be seen flying into November.