Growing to about 25 cm in height, with grey-green, divided leaves and narrow, dense, terminal racemes of pale pink, purple or white flowers 2 cm in length.

C cava is possible as a garden escape

Stem with large scale below lowest leaf (warning - can be hard to find) and bracts narrowly lobed

Photograph showing bracts or the scale below lowest leaf

Found in woodland, hedgerows, churchyards and rough grassland, and on roadsides, river banks and walls. It occurs as a garden escape or throw-out, and often becomes naturalised.

In flower during April and May.

Tuberous perennial herb. Reproduction is by seed and tubers.

Widespread but occasional in Britain as an escape from cultivation.

Uncommon in the wild in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Flora of Leicestershire published in 1988 states that it occurred in 3 of the 617 tetrads.

Listed as Alien and Rare in the current Checklist (Jeeves, 2011)