[5] It is a deeply rooted herbaceous perennial shrub growing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in height and has small greenish piccate flowers.

The roots and leaves have a strong acrid, garlic-like odor which taints the milk and meat of animals that graze on it.

[6] It is known by a wide number of common names including: guinea henweed, guiné (pronounced [giˈnɛ]) in Brazil, anamú in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Brazil, apacin in Guatemala, mucura in Peru, and guine in many other parts of Latin America, feuilles ave, herbe aux poules, petevere a odeur ail, and, in Trinidad, as mapurite (pronounced Ma-po-reete) and gully root,[7] and in Jamaica as guinea hen weed [8] and many others.

In southern Florida it has been reported in disturbed areas, maritime, mesic, prairie and tropical hardwood hammocks and shell mound.

[18][19][20] Domestic animals that consume P. alliacea can pass the garlic-like odor characteristic of the plant to their meat, eggs and milk.