Published in Fl. angl. 221. 1762 (Linnaeus, Fl. monspel. 19. 1756, nom. inval.)
The native range of this species is Macaronesia, Temp. Eurasia to S. Africa. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It is used as a poison, a medicine and invertebrate food, has environmental uses and for food.