It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, growing to 2 m tall.
The leaves are finely divided, feathery, up to 50 cm long.
The flowers are white, about 2-4 mm across, produced in large umbels.
The seeds are slender, 15-25 mm long and 3-4 mm broad.
Its leaves are sometimes used as a herb, with a rather strong taste reminiscent of anise.
It is used mainly in Germany and Scandinavia.
It can also be used to flavour akvavit.
Its essential oils are dominated by anethole.