The stems are glaucous purple, erect, stout (1–2 cm in diameter) and finely striated, with 2-3 large flattened umbels with 12-20 rays bearing small greenish white flowers.

These huge and showy umbellifers have a basal bushy rosette of finely cut glossy dark-green leaves, beetroot-red when they are young.

Giant Hog Fennel is a biennial or short-lived perennial that needs two-five years to reach maturity.

Peucedanum verticillare is commonly present in riverbeds, the banks of streams, stony grounds and ravines.

It prefers rich and well drained soil in a sunny or partially shady place, at an altitude of 0–1,600 metres (0–5,249 ft) above sea level.