This common plant is often seen on roadside and wasteland,often appearing briefly after rain showers, presenting a clear blue contrast to the desiccated  background vegetation.

The tall, stiff angular stems are dichotomous with flowers are positioned at the angles, either singly or in groups of two or three.

The leaves which form a rosette at the base of the plant are lanceolate with variable toothing. Bright green when young but later become tough and spiky then dying off by midsummer so that when the flowers appear there are often no leaves to be seen.The leaves are eaten when tender.