Erect, single-stemmed, thinly-woolly, foetid-smelling perennial up to 1m. Leaves lanceolate, auriculate at base (having a small ear-like lobe on each side of leaf base), often scabrid above; flowerheads semi-radiate, solitary at branch tips, yellow.

Latin: pulex, flea; -aria, indicates a use for: referring to the plant's use to repel fleas.