[2] It is a short-lived plant often treated as biennial, native to Europe, the Mediterranean and Western Asia and naturalized in scattered locations in North America.

[5] It has yellow daisy-like terminal flower heads on long thin angular stems, blooming in profusion during the summer.

However, it produces excellent yellow, buff and golden-orange dyes, used in the past for fabrics.

[6] Cota tinctoria is grown in gardens for its bright attractive flowers and fine lacy foliage; there is a white-flowering form.

Buxton' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.