Published in Don, D. (1835). In: Royle. Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts.: 53, Non L., 1753.
The native range of this species is Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe to W. Siberia and Türkiye. E. & W. Canada to W. U.S.A. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome.