Introduced, cool-season annual, erect, tufted annual 10-50 cm tall (rarely to 1 m). A native of the Mediterranean, it is a weed of disturbed areas such as roadsides, wasteland and cultivated paddocks. Most common in the south and where soil fertility is elevated. A nuisance weed and of minor importance to cropping. Of little feed value to livestock due to its low productivity. Not very tolerant of grazing and tends to increase with declining grazing pressure. Could be associated with acute bovine liver disease; although this is uncertain.