Coriander is native to southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia.
It is a soft, hairless plant growing to 50 centimetres tall.
The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems.
The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the center of the umbel longer (5–6 mm) than those pointing towards it (only 1–3 mm long).
The fruit is a globular dry schizocarp 3–5 mm diameter.
In American culinary usage, the fruits are generally referred to as coriander, the leaves as cilantro.
Coriander juice mixed with turmeric powder or mint juice is used as a treatment for acne, applied to the face in the manner of toner.
Coriander can produce an allergic reaction in some people.